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The Scottish Beaver Trial What is a beaver? o Largest rodent in Europe - can grow up to 1.4metres in length o Can live for up to 15 years o Herbivorous – only eat plants o Sharp, long front teeth for gnawing wood o Crepuscular/nocturnal – coming out at dusk and active over night Why bring back the beaver? o Legal - Article 22 of the EC ‘Habitats Directive’ o Benefits - public interest, wildlife tourism o Desire – most people wish to see beavers restored o Morals - a species lost through human actions o Environmental – a missing, native ‘keystone species’ in the ecology of riparian woodlands and wetlands, water quality Where is the Beaver Trial? o West Scotland o Argyll and Bute o Lochgilphead area o Knapdale Forest o A variety of loch sites Where is the Beaver Trial? Why Knapdale? o Ecological suitability o Working Forestry Commission forest o Natural containment o Majority of respondents supported trial o Local SNH and FCS offices o Access for field workers o Visitor facilities o Ongoing management and restoration o SAC, SSSI, NSA & SWT Wildlife Reserve What is actually happening? oThe Trial is a partnership between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, with the host partner Forestry Commission Scotland oThe release licence was granted by the Scottish government oAnimals collected from Telemark, Norway, in Autumn 2008 oQuarantined for 6 months in Devon, England oTrial period 2009 – 2014 oReview by Scottish Natural Heritage on behalf of the Scottish government Aims of the Trial oStudy the ecology and biology of the European beaver in the Scottish environment. oLook at the effects of beaver activities on the natural and socio-economic environment. oDetermine the extent and impact of any increased tourism generated through the presence of beaver. oGenerate information during the proposed trial release that will inform potential further release of beavers at other sites with different habitat characteristics. oExplore the environmental education opportunities that may arise from the trial itself and the scope for a wider programme should the trial be successful. The end, any questions? www.scottishbeavers.org.uk