Illegal beavers can stay on the Tay but only for three years

UP TO 100 rogue beavers living illegally on the River Tay have been granted a three-year reprieve from the Scottish Government following a consultation on their future.

The “Tay Beavers” are thought to have bred after several animals either escaped or were illegally released from a private collection about a decade ago.

Today it will be announced that the colony will be allowed to remain in the wild until at least the end of a licensed trial reintroduction of beavers in Knapdale Forest, Argyll, in 2015. At this point, a decision will be made on whether to pursue the re-introduction of beavers in Scotland, where they have been extinct for 400 years.

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Environment minister Stewart Stevenson, said: “After careful consideration of all the various factors, my view is that the best way forward is to allow the beavers to remain in place for the duration of the official trial beaver re-introduction in Knapdale.”

He added: “Today I can announce that I am setting up a group, to be chaired by SNH, which will gather information and monitor impacts on other wildlife and land use. This information will help inform the eventual decision-making and develop further our knowledge and understanding of managing beavers. The group will also provide advice and practical help in relation to managing beavers to landowners in the area.”

The Government made the decision following a report from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), which provided three possible options for consideration. SNH said the population should either be monitored, culled, or tolerated.

The Tay Beavers have attracted a devoted following of well-wishers, with a group Save the Beavers of the Tay leading an online campaign to secure their future. However, fishing groups are worried about the potential impact of the animals, which have been building dams and lodges.

The Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association highlighted that the decision poses legal problems.

A spokesman said: “We welcome the decision to monitor the populations in Tayside and Angus but we will be speaking to the minister to clarify what legal status the beavers have since they were released unlawfully. There is potential for an important and unwelcome precedent to be set so the impacts need to be investigated fully.”

David Bale, SNH Tayside and Grampian unit manager, who will chair the group monitoring the beavers, said: “I’m pleased to be asked to chair this local group, which will bring together organisations with differing viewpoints and help resolve any conflicts. The information about Tayside, along with comprehensive research from the Scottish Beaver Trail at Knapdale and other sources, should give the minister a full range of information to make his decision. We plan to have the group up and running as soon as possible.”

A trapping project by SNH two years ago resulted in just one beaver being caught. The animal died in Edinburgh Zoo.