Scotland - Beavers return after 400-year gap

**dirtydog** · 30-05-2009, 10:00 PM

Beavers return after 400-year gap

A total of 11 beavers have been released into the wild in Argyll as part of a reintroduction programme.

Four more may join the Scottish Beaver Trial being run in Knapdale Forest.

The beavers have been brought to Scotland from Norway and their release marks a return to the UK after a 400-year absence.

The release will be studied to determine whether the trial should be extended and beavers reintroduced across Scotland.

The Scottish Beaver Trial (SBT) is being carried out by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

Project manager Simon Jones said the release of the beaver families on Friday "went extremely well".

"They were placed into purpose-built artificial lodges at carefully selected points around the trial site," he said.

"They will now gradually gnaw their way out of the lodge at a pace that is comfortable for them before exploring their new surroundings."

Mr Jones said that following the release, the "real work" of the trial could now begin.

He added: "First and foremost, this is a scientific study of how the beavers cope naturally in the Scottish environment and what effect they have upon it.

"We will be closely tracking the beavers' activities and collecting data over the next five years to help inform the independent scientific monitoring.

'Recklessly irresponsible'

"This will help the Scottish Government in making any final decisions on the future of beavers in Knapdale Forest or elsewhere in Scotland."

Not everyone, however, is in favour of the reintroduction scheme.

Last year, the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards said it would be "recklessly irresponsible" to approve new schemes before looking at the impact on fish.

Concerns were also raised by Alan Kettlewhite, a biologist with Argyll Fisheries Trust, ahead of Friday's beaver release.

These charismatic creatures are not only likely to create interest in Scotland from further afield but crucially can play a key role in providing good habitat for a wide range of wetland species

Roseanna Cunningham
Environment Minister

"Potentially they can alter the habitats of fish, restricting access to spawning grounds," he said.

"I think the concerns are based on studies in other countries where sometimes dam-building can prevent fish access to their spawning grounds, particularly in dry years where you don't get much rain in the autumn time."

But Allan Bantick, chair of the Scottish Beaver Trial, believes the programme is a step forward in "rebuilding the natural biodiversity of Scotland".

"Our critics worry that beavers might pose a risk to migratory fish numbers, including salmon," he said.

"This has not been found to be the case anywhere else in Europe.

"However, the notion cannot be tested with this trial because there is no Atlantic salmon present in the trial site.

'Historic day'

"Our beavers will be released within a designated trial area, which should be large enough to sustain the natural expansion of their population over the next five years."

Scotland's Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham visited the trial site in Argyll on Friday morning.

She said the release marked "a historic day for conservation".

"These charismatic creatures are not only likely to create interest in Scotland from further afield but crucially can play a key role in providing good habitat for a wide range of wetland species," she said.

The beavers are tagged to help with the monitoring of their progress

"And while a great deal of research has already gone into the reintroduction, this work is far from over.

"Observations and data collection over the next five years will play a crucial role in assessing the long-term future for beavers in the Scottish landscape."

Darren Dobson, from the Carinbaan Hotel near the release site, said he was delighted at the prospect of beavers, and hopes they will prove to be a major tourist attraction.

He said: "Generally speaking it's all positive. I haven't met anyone myself who is negative to the idea.

"It's going to bring more tourists - and this is just one more thing to add to what this area's got."

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will monitor the relationship between beavers and woodland, water plants, river habitat, water levels, otters, dragonflies, damselflies and freshwater fish.

Monitoring programme

The beavers themselves will also be under close scrutiny, using tracking data.

SNH will co-ordinate the scientific monitoring work with a range of independent bodies, including Oxford University Wildlife Conservation Research Unit and the Argyll Fisheries Trust.

It is contributing £275,000 to the cost of monitoring the trial.

It is claimed the trial will be a major contribution to Scotland's Species Action Framework, which identifies 32 species, including European beaver, as the focus of new management action.

The beavers released on Friday were captured in the Telemark region of Norway in September last year.

They were flown to the UK in November and spent six months in quarantine.

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West | Beavers return after 400-year gap

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**good2bhappy** · 30-05-2009, 10:03 PM

great news
Wolves and Bears next?

**dirtydog** · 30-05-2009, 10:09 PM

I don't think its true about these being the first beavers in Scotland for the last 400 years, just found this video which is a year old, hmmmmm.....

Beaver at Scottish highland Wildlife park

**Norton** · 30-05-2009, 10:16 PM

Some weird crap going on when I try to post You Tube. Sorry.

**blackgang** · 30-05-2009, 10:25 PM

Hasn't been that long ago since PB was there and I imagine she must have a beaver, least I don't think she is the type to shave it off.

**gjbkk** · 30-05-2009, 10:34 PM

they said that bonnie prince charlie was fond of the odd beaver or is that LM?

**dirtydog** · 30-05-2009, 10:44 PM

I wonder if the Scots deep fry beavers.....

**gjbkk** · 30-05-2009, 10:53 PM

only after willie baxter has finished proding them with his we kaber DD

**chassamui** · 30-05-2009, 11:03 PM

This is an interesting project. I studied the reintroduction of the european beaver in the czech republic and it has been a great success.
Even the originally sceptical farmers have been won over with the land management improvements created by the reintroduction.
I do not see the lack of autumn rainfall being a problem in any part of Scotland.
I agree with the next phase of reintroductions including wolves, bears and the moose. It should help control the rampant deer population much more naturally.

**dirtydog** · 30-05-2009, 11:23 PM

The bears and wolves might eat a few Scots aswell so its not all bad news

**thehighlander959** · 30-05-2009, 11:35 PM

There,s only one type of beaver I am interested in, its furry but doesn,t swim but can smell like fish!!

**dirtydog** · 30-05-2009, 11:39 PM

Filmed in the Scottish Highlands, warning, contains extreme violence.

**jandajoy** · 30-05-2009, 11:49 PM

Mathos di his photos thread of this area. In fact I think he stayed at the hotel mentioned.

**chassamui** · 31-05-2009, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by thehighlander959

There,s only one type of beaver I am interested in, its furry but doesn,t swim but can smell like fish!!

There are only two things that smell of fish and one of them is fish.

**Thetyim** · 31-05-2009, 02:51 PM

When are they going to re-stock Loch Ness ?

That would increase tourism

**The Fresh Prince** · 31-05-2009, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by chassamui

There are only two things that smell of fish and one of them is fish.

The other thing must be nam pla.

**robuzo** · 31-05-2009, 03:04 PM

Beaver attacks can be nasty! Beaver attack! - CBC Archives

**good2bhappy** · 31-05-2009, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

When are they going to re-stock Loch Ness ?

world shortage of fresh dinosaur eggs

**blackgang** · 31-05-2009, 04:02 PM

I enjoyed this, Hope you do too.

Subject: Go Figure

This is a copy of an actual letter sent to Ryan DeVries, from the
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, State of Michigan. Wait
till you read this guy's response - but read the entire letter before
you get to the response.

Mr. Ryan DeVries
2088 Dagget
Pierson, MI 49339
SUBJECT: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20;

Site Location: Montcalm County

Dear Mr. DeVries:

It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality
that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced
parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner
and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:

Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet
stream of Spring Pond.

A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A
review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued.

Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in
violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource
and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994,
being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws
annotated.

The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially
failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at
downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently
hazardous and cannot be permitted.

The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities
at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by
removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel.
All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2002.

Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so
that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure
to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the
site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement
action.

We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter.
Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
David L. Price
District Representative
Land and Water Management Division
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RESPONSE:

Dear Mr. Price,

Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20;
Montcalm County

Reference your certified letter dated 12/17/2000 has been referred to me
to respond to. First of all, Mr. Ryan De Vries is not the legal
landowner and/or contractor at 2088 Dagget, Pierson, Michigan.

I am the legal owner and a couple of beavers are in the (State
unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris"
dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond.

While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I
think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of
natural building materials "debris." I would like to challenge your
department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any
place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no way you could
ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam
ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their
dam work ethic.

As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must
first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam
activity. My first dam question to you is:
(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers? or,
(2) do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said
dam request?

If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through
the Freedom of Information Act I request completed copies of all those
other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued. Perhaps we
will see if there really is a dam violation of P! art 301, Inland Lakes
and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act,
Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.3010,1 to
324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated. I have several
concerns. My first concern is aren't the beavers entitled to legal
representation?

The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay
for said representation - so the State will have to provide them with a
lawyer.

The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed
during a recent rain event causing flooding is proof that this is a
natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect. In
other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than
harrass them and call their dam names. If you want the stream "restored"
to a dam free-flow condition - please contact the beavers - but if you
are going to arrest them they obviously did not pay any attention to
your dam letter (being unable to read English).

In my humble ! opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build
their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green
and water flows downstream. They have more dam right than I do to live
and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the
natural resources
(Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams).

So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be
referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until
1/31/2002 The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then, and
there will be no way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them
then.

In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention a real
environmental quality (health) problem in the area. It is the bears.
Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you
should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone.

If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! (The
bears are not careful where they dump!)

Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to
contact you on your answering machine, I am sending this response to
your office via another government organization - the USPS. Maybe,
someday, it will get there.

Sincerely,
Stephen L. Tvedten
The University of Texas at: Austin
Office Community Relations/Accounting unit
P.O. Box 7367
Austin, TX 78713

O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand; Between their loved homes
and the war's desolation; Blessed with victory and peace, may the
heaven's rescued land; Praise the power that hath made, and preserved us
a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just; And this be
our motto,

"In God is our Trust"; And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall
wave, O'er the land of the free & the home of the brave. (last verse of
the National
Anthem)

**good2bhappy** · 31-05-2009, 04:08 PM

that is damn funny

**Umbuku** · 31-05-2009, 04:17 PM

How did they disappear in the first place?

What does Beaver haggis taste like?

**good2bhappy** · 31-05-2009, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Umbuku

What does Beaver haggis taste like?

may I refer you to the picture posted some moments earlier

**chassamui** · 31-05-2009, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

that is damn funny

Not only is it damn funny, ist's a piece of dam natural brilliance.

**noelbino** · 31-05-2009, 06:44 PM

I'm sorry wrong beaver.

**mrsquirrel** · 31-05-2009, 08:52 PM

Wonder if I can go hunting them or not.

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