The Scottish beaver population has more than doubled to around 1,000 animals in the last three years according to NatureScot.
The Government agency’s survey shows that the reintroduced species has also doubled its territories, which now total 251. The population ranges from Glen Isla to Dundee and Stirling, Forfar to Crianlarich, and is likely to expand into Loch Lomond in the future.
The protected species has come into conflict with farmers as it can cause flooding by damaging river banks.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, NFU Scotland President Martin Kennedy believes that management options are working.
“These latest NatureScot survey results provide unequivocal evidence of a conservation and reintroduction success story.
However, it is vitally important that where mitigation measures are not working, and significant agricultural damage continues to occur, that licenced lethal control remains as a last resort,” he said.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
The Scottish beaver population has more than doubled to around 1,000 animals in the last three years according to NatureScot.
The Government agency’s survey shows that the reintroduced species has also doubled its territories, which now total 251. The population ranges from Glen Isla to Dundee and Stirling, Forfar to Crianlarich, and is likely to expand into Loch Lomond in the future.
The protected species has come into conflict with farmers as it can cause flooding by damaging river banks.
However, NFU Scotland President Martin Kennedy believes that management options are working.
“These latest NatureScot survey results provide unequivocal evidence of a conservation and reintroduction success story.
However, it is vitally important that where mitigation measures are not working, and significant agricultural damage continues to occur, that licenced lethal control remains as a last resort,” he said.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS