Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement

 
 
Wednesday, 9th December 2009

Beavers' return to Scotland comes one step closer

Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 10 June 2007
By MARC HORNE
It is more than 400 years since beavers last negotiated the rivers and waterways of Scotland.
But a major step forward has been taken in preparing for the creatures, which were hunted to extinction, to be reintroduced.

The EU has paid for a party of Scottish nature experts to travel to Norway to study beavers in their natural environment.

Cairngorm National Park Authority land management officer Colin McClean, who was on the trip, said:

"In Denmark, where they have recently reintroduced beavers, they have become a popular tourist attraction and I'm sure the same thing would happen in Scotland."

But the Confederation of Forestry Industries is strongly opposed to the reintroduction plan. "Beavers are capable of some fairly disruptive practices in woodland settings," said a spokesman.



Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 09 June 2007 7:26 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
  • Related Topics: Beavers
 
1

I'm no really here,

09/06/2007 23:51:23

Lets hope Labour don't get back into power otherwise they'll be after them again.

2

Guga II,

Rockall 10/06/2007 03:05:44

Will someone please explain to me why we need to reintroduce assorted species back into Scotland? Would these so-called experts not be better employed looking after the ones we have, and putting a bit more effort into getting rid of introduced pests, like mink, and feral cats.

3

George F,

Michigan 10/06/2007 03:57:05

#2 Guga II, yep have to agree with you. Here in Michigan they reintroduced wolfs a few years back. They are protected from hunting for now but are thriving and doing really well. They are also making a big hole in the deer herds as well other indiginous animals. After they became extinct here over the years the eco system has adjusted itself to no wolfs and compensted for it. Now the Wolves are back and it's playing havoc.

4

George F,

Michigan 10/06/2007 03:58:45

PS the wolfs Michigan introduced have wandered into the next state over and they ain't to happy with us for it either.

5

Slioch,

Scottish Highlands 10/06/2007 07:36:20

#2
Guga answers his own query.

Why put "a bit more effort into getting rid of introduced pests, like mink, and feral cats."
Answer, because they disrupt our native fauna and flora and reduce our biodiversity.

Why reintroduce beavers. Because their absence disrupts our native fauna and flora and reduces our biodiversity.

They are two sides of the same coin.

6

albafoto,

henley 10/06/2007 11:47:54

Beavers were in the country before the Confederation of Forestry Industries; perhaps they drove them to extinction

7

RedSwanie,

reading my atlas 10/06/2007 17:31:06

Hey George #4: Isn't Michigan bounded on both sides by big lakes? Did those wolves swim out of your state? Maybe they hitched a ride on American beavers.

8

alex paterson,

embra 10/06/2007 21:06:58

Beavers+Trees=Big probs.

9

Keke,

Aberdeenshire 11/06/2007 12:37:33

#9 .... interesting thought, how would you cook it? They could bring out a new sport, Beaver Baiting, a bit like picking up a lass in a night club but you could eat the trophy.

10

Douglas,

Bathgate 11/06/2007 22:35:39

#10 Keke: You silver tongued devil, some might say cunning linguist.


 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
  

 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.