PREVIEW

Eurasian beavers have returned to the Cairngorms National Park for the first time in around 400 years after a pair were successfully translocated to Rothiemurchus on Monday (18 December 2023).
Lorna Slater MSP, the Scottish Government Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy, and Biodiversity, was present to support the release. Simultaneously, another pair found their new home on land owned by Wildland Cairngorms Ltd.
She said: “Today is a key milestone in our ongoing collective efforts to ensure this iconic species can once again thrive across Scotland. I want to thank the Cairngorms National Park Authority and all the organisations involved who have made this truly exciting moment possible.”
The Cairngorms National Park Authority, collaborating with the Beaver Trust and local land managers, aim to introduce up to 15 beaver families over a five-year period.
Sandy Bremner, Convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority board commented: “This is a momentous day for the Cairngorms National Park and indeed for conservation in Scotland. Returning a lost species after an absence of over 400 years could only have been achieved by working closely with our partners – so thank you to everyone who has been involved, particularly the Cairngorms Beaver Group and local farmers, crofters and landowners.”
The beavers were humanely trapped in the Tay catchment before being taken to the Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian for veterinary screening to ensure the animals are in good health, giving them the best chance to settle well into their new home.
Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at Beaver Trust, said: “It has been profoundly rewarding to release the first pair of beavers today at Rothiemurchus. It’s a great achievement for a project which has been exemplary throughout, which we hope will act as a model for future releases across Scotland.”
Marking the first out-of-range translocation in Scotland, this initiative aims to re-establish beavers in the region. Beavers can contribute to combating climate change and enhancing biodiversity by altering and naturalizing the landscape.
To allow the beavers a peaceful transition, the public is encouraged to provide them with space for a few weeks, minimizing disturbance and increasing their chances of thriving. Additionally, a dedicated beaver trail will soon open at Rothiemurchus, offering visitors an opportunity to learn about beavers and explore their living habitat.
There will be further beaver releases in the coming weeks and months, with the translocation licence from NatureScot allowing for up to six beaver families to be released in the Upper Spey catchment in the first year.
Jenny Bryce, NatureScot’s beaver team manager, said: “Today marks a significant milestone for the restoration of beavers in Scotland. By creating habitats such as ponds and wetlands where other species thrive, as well as moderating water flows and improving water quality, these ecosystem engineers can play an important role in helping to restore biodiversity and respond to the climate emergency in the Cairngorms National Park and beyond.”