Village of the dammed? A Highland community is fighting plans to bring beavers to their doorstep...
They’ve damaged trees, flooded rivers and ruined crops — and beaver numbers have exploded since their reintroduction in Scotland Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By Gavin Madeley For The Scottish Daily Mail Published: 22:29 BST, 23 August 2024 | Updated: 22:40 BST, 23 August 2024 e-mail 4 View comments The image picked up by the infra-red was unmistakable – two little balls of fluff rooting about in the undergrowth beside their mothers was evidence of the first wild-born beavers in the Cairngorms for more than 400 years. Conservationists were ecstatic at the sight: their co-ordinated effort to re-establish the species across large parts of Scotland after such a long absence has taken another decisive step towards fruition with the arrival this month of the two kits born to the six-family group recently translocated to the area. Just wait, they urged, these environmental warriors will pit their unrivalled skills as ‘ecosystem engineers’ to ‘change and re-naturalise’ the landscape of the upper Spey valley.
Given the time and space, their mastery of dam-building, tree removal and river re-routing will not only create new wetlands but reduce flood risks. A controversial beaver release is planned for next spring in Glen Affric Their cartoonishly toothy appearance belies their status as serious players in the world of biodiver.