years ago, the UK’s first ever trial reintroduction of a mammal began, with…
We are grateful to the many individuals, funders and partners that have helped make the project a success over the past five years. Here, we share just a small selection of the comments of support we’ve received.
beaver families reintroduced to Knapdale Forest in the Heart of Argyll by…
84%
organisations, The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and host Forestry Commission Scotland, backed up by over…
of mid-Argyll residents support wild beavers living in Knapdale. 11% disagree*
hundred messages of support from local people and businesses. Together, over the last five years, they’ve helped deliver… groundbreaking project, the
Scottish Beaver Trial Turn over to discover some of the facts, figures and responses generated by the project.
Why reintroduce beavers? Beavers are incredible engineers. Their dam building and tree felling can benefit otters, dragonflies, waterfowl and much more. Because of the effect they have on their surrounding environment, beavers are known as a ‘keystone’ species. Over the last five years, the effects of beavers on both their local environment and the local economy have been carefully monitored by a range of independent monitoring partners in order to help the Scottish Government make an informed decision on their future. Simon Jones, Project Manager
74%
of Scottish adults aware of the trial support beaver reintroduction, according to a YouGov poll. 6% disagree*
“
The Scottish Beaver Trial is one of the most considered and well organised species reintroductions ever. Thanks to this project, we can once again see these beautiful creatures at work. Ray Mears, Broadcaster and the UK’s leading Bushcraft Expert
The Scottish Beaver Trial is a partnership between:
80%
”
“
Here in the Heart of Argyll, we have been pleased to host the Scottish Beaver Trial. We have had lots more visitors as a result, and the pools they have constructed have encouraged diversity in the forest.
”
Andrew Wilson, Local Business Owner and Chair of the Heart of Argyll Tourist Alliance
of local people believe that beavers will help tourism and the area’s economy. 4% disagree*
“
I naturally love beavers as beaver is my nickname. We didn’t see any but we did see human tracks, the beginnings of a dam and some footprints as well as caterpillars, butterflies and dragonflies. We’ll definitely be coming back!
”
Beth Mackenzie, visitor to the Trial, aged 10
Thanks to our funders and supporters, including:
Return of the native? Celebrating five years of the Scottish Beaver Trial
Cover image © Philip Price, lochvisions.co.uk *Figures from the mid-Argyll region come from a local stakeholder consultation of 140 respondents, carried out during March 2014. The national survey was carried out online by YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,652 Scottish adults (aged 18+), with 355 having heard of the trial. Field work was undertaken on 19 to 21 March 2014. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Scottish adults (aged 18+). Additional infographic measurements correct as of 23 April 2014. scottishbeavers.org.uk
years ago, the UK’s first ever trial reintroduction of a mammal began, with…
We are grateful to the many individuals, funders and partners that have helped make the project a success over the past five years. Here, we share just a small selection of the comments of support we’ve received.
beaver families reintroduced to Knapdale Forest in the Heart of Argyll by…
84%
organisations, The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and host Forestry Commission Scotland, backed up by over…
of mid-Argyll residents support wild beavers living in Knapdale. 11% disagree*
hundred messages of support from local people and businesses. Together, over the last five years, they’ve helped deliver… groundbreaking project, the
Scottish Beaver Trial Turn over to discover some of the facts, figures and responses generated by the project.
Why reintroduce beavers? Beavers are incredible engineers. Their dam building and tree felling can benefit otters, dragonflies, waterfowl and much more. Because of the effect they have on their surrounding environment, beavers are known as a ‘keystone’ species. Over the last five years, the effects of beavers on both their local environment and the local economy have been carefully monitored by a range of independent monitoring partners in order to help the Scottish Government make an informed decision on their future. Simon Jones, Project Manager
74%
of Scottish adults aware of the trial support beaver reintroduction, according to a YouGov poll. 6% disagree*
“
The Scottish Beaver Trial is one of the most considered and well organised species reintroductions ever. Thanks to this project, we can once again see these beautiful creatures at work. Ray Mears, Broadcaster and the UK’s leading Bushcraft Expert
The Scottish Beaver Trial is a partnership between:
80%
”
“
Here in the Heart of Argyll, we have been pleased to host the Scottish Beaver Trial. We have had lots more visitors as a result, and the pools they have constructed have encouraged diversity in the forest.
”
Andrew Wilson, Local Business Owner and Chair of the Heart of Argyll Tourist Alliance
of local people believe that beavers will help tourism and the area’s economy. 4% disagree*
“
I naturally love beavers as beaver is my nickname. We didn’t see any but we did see human tracks, the beginnings of a dam and some footprints as well as caterpillars, butterflies and dragonflies. We’ll definitely be coming back!
”
Beth Mackenzie, visitor to the Trial, aged 10
Thanks to our funders and supporters, including:
Return of the native? Celebrating five years of the Scottish Beaver Trial
Cover image © Philip Price, lochvisions.co.uk *Figures from the mid-Argyll region come from a local stakeholder consultation of 140 respondents, carried out during March 2014. The national survey was carried out online by YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,652 Scottish adults (aged 18+), with 355 having heard of the trial. Field work was undertaken on 19 to 21 March 2014. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Scottish adults (aged 18+). Additional infographic measurements correct as of 23 April 2014. scottishbeavers.org.uk
The largest beaver lodge (on the Dubh Loch) measures 7.78m long, 2.14m high and 11.29m wide.
This is around the same size as a double garage!
One of the largest field trials of its kind anywhere in Europe, the Scottish Beaver Trial has collected data on everything from water quality to socio-economic impacts. A small field team, together with over 60 volunteers and 13 independent monitoring partners, have come together to help the Scottish Government make an informed decision on the species’ future in Scotland.
624
Video capture and analysis
,703
31
Field search for beaver signs
1,297 720 Guided walks and tours
36
Beaver trapping
since beavers were hunted to extinction
1998
Knapdale identified as the site for a possible reintroduction
2000
Local consultation exercise shows majority support a trial
2007
Beaver reintroduction features in new Species Action Framework
Lodge surveillance
3,016
Checking for Night tracking presence of mink sessions
71
1,717 Day tracking sessions
1034 Water collection and sampling
315 magazine and newspaper articles covering the trial
2,950,778 u ilo ©M
ina atr ©K
2.81 million viewers on the BBC’s Springwatch
people engaged
5,343 children and 2,092 31,100 people engaged adults engaged by our formal in Beaver Trial walks, talks, education programmes events and education sessions
Other activities
independent monitoring partners, led by Scottish Natural Heritage
23 © Claire Gresswell
The largest dam (on the Dubh Loch) is 18m long and 1.6m high
350
13
Surface area of new freshwater habitat created. This is approximately the same size as 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools
14
287
Attracting interest and support from over 150 countries, this award-winning project has engaged local people and businesses through events, talks and workshops. It has also engaged young people through school visits right across Scotland, and international visitors through the website, social media, TV and press coverage. If you haven’t already done so, why not pay a visit to Knapdale soon?
25
13,045m2
years
beavers have been born in Knapdale since the trial began
hours of field work
61 Volunteers
Knapdale
400
11,817 2
On the cold spring morning of Thursday 28 May 2009, over 400 years after beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain, the first animals in this scientific trial were released at Loch Coille Bharr. Since that morning, these remarkable ecosystem engineers have been steadily transforming the landscape of Knapdale Forest – constructing dams, creating canals, felling trees and building lodges.
Supported by the public...
Ge ve n
Led by science…
M ar tin
Beginning with beavers…
2008
Scottish Government grants licence for trial
Distance walked during field activities. This is roughly equivalent to walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats
2008
Beavers brought from Norway to the UK
24 2009
2011
Runner-up & highly commended RSPB Nature of Scotland “Innovation Award”
colleges and universities engaged
peer-reviewed journal publications and conference proceedings generated by the trial
First beavers released in Knapdale
Winner Lonely Planet “Wildlife Comeback Award”
2010
2013
Beaver kits spotted for the first time
Nearly 100,000 online visitors from 150 countries
Over 200 schools and colleges visited (nursery, primary, secondary, tertiary and continued education)
2013
26
Winner BBC Countryfile Magazine Award for “Best Conservation Project”
2014
End of field monitoring in Knapdale
1,165 Facebook likes 1,078 Twitter followers
countries recorded in the Knapdale visitor book
2015
Independent monitoring report submitted to Scottish Government
?
Decision made on the future of beavers in Scotland
years ago, the UK’s first ever trial reintroduction of a mammal began, with…
We are grateful to the many individuals, funders and partners that have helped make the project a success over the past five years. Here, we share just a small selection of the comments of support we’ve received.
beaver families reintroduced to Knapdale Forest in the Heart of Argyll by…
84%
organisations, The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and host Forestry Commission Scotland, backed up by over…
of mid-Argyll residents support wild beavers living in Knapdale. 11% disagree*
hundred messages of support from local people and businesses. Together, over the last five years, they’ve helped deliver… groundbreaking project, the
Scottish Beaver Trial Turn over to discover some of the facts, figures and responses generated by the project.
Why reintroduce beavers? Beavers are incredible engineers. Their dam building and tree felling can benefit otters, dragonflies, waterfowl and much more. Because of the effect they have on their surrounding environment, beavers are known as a ‘keystone’ species. Over the last five years, the effects of beavers on both their local environment and the local economy have been carefully monitored by a range of independent monitoring partners in order to help the Scottish Government make an informed decision on their future. Simon Jones, Project Manager
74%
of Scottish adults aware of the trial support beaver reintroduction, according to a YouGov poll. 6% disagree*
“
The Scottish Beaver Trial is one of the most considered and well organised species reintroductions ever. Thanks to this project, we can once again see these beautiful creatures at work. Ray Mears, Broadcaster and the UK’s leading Bushcraft Expert
The Scottish Beaver Trial is a partnership between:
80%
”
“
Here in the Heart of Argyll, we have been pleased to host the Scottish Beaver Trial. We have had lots more visitors as a result, and the pools they have constructed have encouraged diversity in the forest.
”
Andrew Wilson, Local Business Owner and Chair of the Heart of Argyll Tourist Alliance
of local people believe that beavers will help tourism and the area’s economy. 4% disagree*
“
I naturally love beavers as beaver is my nickname. We didn’t see any but we did see human tracks, the beginnings of a dam and some footprints as well as caterpillars, butterflies and dragonflies. We’ll definitely be coming back!
”
Beth Mackenzie, visitor to the Trial, aged 10
Thanks to our funders and supporters, including:
Return of the native? Celebrating five years of the Scottish Beaver Trial
Cover image © Philip Price, lochvisions.co.uk *Figures from the mid-Argyll region come from a local stakeholder consultation of 140 respondents, carried out during March 2014. The national survey was carried out online by YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,652 Scottish adults (aged 18+), with 355 having heard of the trial. Field work was undertaken on 19 to 21 March 2014. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Scottish adults (aged 18+). Additional infographic measurements correct as of 23 April 2014. scottishbeavers.org.uk