Beavers to move into their new homes in Badenoch and Strathspey in coming weeks
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The first three sites in Badenoch and Strathspey will see beavers returning 'in the coming weeks and months'.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority has welcomed the go-ahead from NatureScot to approving their licence application to translocate Eurasian beavers to the Upper Spey catchment.
Following extensive consultation with the agricultural community, fishing interests, the public and other key stakeholders, the CNPA submitted the bid in October.
The translocation licence from NatureScot allows for up to six beaver families to be released in the Upper Spey catchment in the first year.
The first three release sites are on land owned by Rothiemurchus Estate, Wildland Scotland and the RSPB.
Availability of beavers and weather conditions depending, the first families of beavers are expected to be released in the Cairngorms National Park 'very soon'.
Park authority convener Sandy Bremner said: “This is a significant moment in the history of the national park, with the licence allowing us to return beavers to the area after an absence of 400 years.
“I want to thank the park authority staff and everyone who has helped us reach this point.
"I am especially grateful to the National Farmers Union of Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, the Spey Fishery Board, RSPB and NatureScot who have been with us since the very first Cairngorms Beaver Group meeting back in 2017 – and to all those who have expressed concerns and worked with us to shape further mitigation measures.”
Grant Moir, the CNPA's chief executive, commented: “This is a milestone moment and we’re grateful to over 500 people who took part in our public consultation.
"As an organisation we are mindful that whilst the majority of respondents were supportive there remains some concerns about the impacts from beavers on some farms in the area.
"We have listened carefully to those concerns and adjusted our approach to provide further reassurance to the farming community, with that dialogue continuing.
"We have effective mitigation measures in place with the work being led by the park authority beaver officer who can react quickly to minimise any negative impacts.
“Beavers will provide many positive benefits for the area both environmentally and economically but as the applicant we need to work to maximise the benefits whilst managing any impacts.”
The beavers will come from the Tay catchment having been humanely trapped before undergoing veterinary health screening.
Once healthy pairs and families are available for translocation, they will be brought to the strath and released in locations that have been identified as highly suitable and where the local landowner has been keen to welcome them.
The sites chosen have also been carefully considered for their suitability from both a beaver and human standpoint.
Dr Roison Campbell-Palmer, of the Beaver Trust, explained: “We are delighted NatureScot has approved the licence to release beavers into the national park.
"Actively expanding the beaver population into appropriate areas is an important step towards realising the vision of Scotland’s National Beaver Strategy.
“Having carried out detailed modelling of the Spey catchment with the University of Exeter, we are confident beavers will thrive here due to the abundance of suitable habitat.
"This project has been exemplary, with well-planned local engagement, carried out by an exceptional team, which we're proud to have contributed to.”
Ollie Mackay, head ranger at Rothiemurchus Estate, said: “We look forward to supporting the Scottish Government in its strategy to bring back beavers to the Cairngorms.
"Rothiemurchus is excited to be selected by the CNPA as one of the initial reintroduction sites for this project.
"We are working with the park authority on providing visitors with information on being in the vicinity of beavers without disturbing them.”
Karen Birkby, site manager at RSPB Scotland Insh Marshes nature reserve, said: “We are very pleased that a licence to move beavers into the Cairngorms National Park has been granted allowing us to be one of the three initial release sites.
"The return of beavers should ultimately help us achieve our long-term vision for Insh Marshes – to improve the functioning of the River Spey and its floodplain for nature and people.
"We look forward to welcoming beavers back to Insh Marshes at some point next year – they will bring many benefits to other wildlife and naturally adapt the nature reserve in ways we could never hope to replicate.”
Tim Kirkwood, chief executive of Wildland Limited, commented: “Wildland Limited continues to be committed to habitat rehabilitation on a landscape scale.
"Beaver are a keystone species in ecosystem regeneration and we are pleased to support the park authority in this project. We look forward to the progress being monitored and future stories of success.”
Alan McDonnell, Trees for Life’s head of nature restoration, said: “The official return of beavers to the Cairngorms after four long centuries is wonderful news for Scotland’s biodiversity.
"Allowing these habitat-creating, flood-preventing animals to be relocated across Scotland – to where they are needed, and with the right support in place for farmers – offers hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies.
“By moving rather than shooting beavers, we can help this keystone species get to work boosting biodiversity, tackling climate breakdown, and creating wildlife tourism opportunities.
“Scotland is one of the world's most nature-depleted countries, so we hope the Scottish Government's major public agencies will follow this inspiring rewilding lead and welcome beavers back to suitable habitat on their own land as soon as possible."
Beavers create wetlands that benefit other wildlife, absorb carbon dioxide, purify water and reduce flooding.
They are a protected native species, and were first reintroduced to Scotland in 2009.
For more information visit https://cairngorms.co.uk/caring-future/cairngorms-nature/priority-species/beaver/
