February 2013.
SWBG fully supports the Tayside Beaver Study Group’s beaver sampling programme, which is being done to establish the health and genetic status of the beavers, and will be carried out with the welfare of the beavers in mind.
Autumn 2012
SWBG welcome the new paper from University of Southampton showing that beaver impacts on salmon are mainly positive.
Protecting our Scottish Wild Beavers
The decision was announced on 16th March 2012 by environment minister Mr Stewart Stevenson to monitor the Tay Beavers and the future of beavers in Scotland will be decided in 2015.
Official Press Release from SWBG on News Page
The Scottish Wild Beaver Group is an officially recognised charity (SCIO) SCO42626 and was formed in 2011 in response to the decision of the Scottish government to start trapping the wild beavers that have lived in the River Tay and its many tributaries for over 10 years. One Beaver was captured and, sadly, died in captivity. Trapping was suspended over the summer 2011.
In March 2012 the then environment minister Mr Stewart Stevenson decided that there would be an amnesty for the free beavers of the Tay. This would last until a firm decision was reached at the end of the trial in Knapdale whether to accept the return of the Eurasian beaver to Scotland or not.
Preliminary surveys carried out by our members suggested a population of 80 to 100 beavers by autumn 2010. The official survey carried out in 2012 estimated a population of around 140.
JOIN US!
As an officially recognised charitable organisation we would be delighted if you would join us and become a member of the Scottish Wild Beaver Group. Please print off the Subscription form on our membership page and complete accordingly or you can set up a standing order. If you do not wish to be a member please consider making a donation to the SWBG through our donation page.
The aims of the Scottish Wild Beaver Group (SCIO) are to promote, for the benefit of the public, the study, conservation and protection of wild Eurasian beavers and their natural habitats in Scotland.
