Man too eager to help the beavers

Their reintroduction into Scotland was a matter of considerable controversy.

The debate between those who favoured helping beavers re-establish themselves in Scotland and those against was passionate and sometimes heated.

In the end the advocates of giving a once native species a second chance won out and several were let loose in the wilds of Argyll. Now, however, it seems we may not have needed to give them a human helping hand. For the shy, but sly, creatures' secret is out: without us knowing a band of them has been merrily gnawing and damming away to their hearts content in the depths of Tayside for a number of years.

It is, we are told, impossible they are from the official reintroduction site in Knapdale Forest, some 50 miles away, which raises the possibility the Tayside mob could be American beavers who have escaped from captivity, not the 'native' European variety.

Whatever species, it is clear that while we humans fretted over the survival of beavers a bunch of them were alive, well - and possibly even breeding - in our midst.

What lesson can we learn from this? Perhaps that man should not be so eager to intervene in matters where nature can best take her course.