New family of beavers arrive in Loch Ard Forest

Forestry and Land Scotland, working with the Beaver Trust, last week (Thursday 21 Nov) released a family of five beavers into Loch Ard Forest

The two adults and three kits have been released into restored wetland habitat, where FLS created a network of ponds and new native woodland alongside the Duchray Water within the riparian corridor.

Today’s release takes the total number of beavers that FLS has translocated to land it manages to 24 in 13 months. FLS also has plans to release another family in the near future.

FLS’  Central Region Environment Forester, Katy Anderson, said;

“We have been a key partner in the reintroduction of beavers to Scotland since hosting the RZSS-led Scottish Beaver Trial at Knapdale back in 2009, where beavers were introduced into Loch Coille Bharr and soon moved upstream into Loch Barnluasgan.

“We have acquired a good deal of experience since then and were confident that the new arrivals would take to Duchray - a habitat network that has been over 30 years in the making. The ponds we created back in 2006 had already shown that they were ideal habitat when we successfully introduced water voles to the area in 2008.

“It is an ideal setting to help the new arrivals ease in to their new life. The mix of extensive wetlands, wet woodland and new native woodland – and our little welcoming gift of some piles of freshly cut willow by the water’s edge – should make them feel very much at home.

“It’s an ideal site for the new family and we’re looking forward to them settling in, making their mark on the landscape and becoming fully integrated into the local ecosystem. It’s great to have them here.”

As beaver kits mature and seek out their own territories, the beaver population is gradually dispersing naturally across suitable areas of FLS-managed land, a process that underpins the ongoing success of the reintroduction programme. 

Beavers arrived on FLS sites in the Trossachs through natural dispersal almost 10 years ago and Aberfoyle was naturally colonised by dispersing beavers around 2 years ago.  The releases in Loch Ard forest will help to support and increase this new, naturally expanding population.

Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at Beaver Trust, said:

"It’s been incredibly fulfilling to be able to release this family of beavers into Loch Ard Forest.

“We’re really pleased to continue working with Forestry and Land Scotland; moving animals from areas of conflict to locations like Loch Ard. This has only been made possible through our close collaboration with Five Sisters Zoo.

“This will go a long way toward the aim of actively expanding the beaver population into areas where they can bring real environmental benefits as part of Scotland’s National Beaver Strategy.

“We are confident the animals will thrive here due to the abundance of suitable habitat.”

Beavers are semi-aquatic and prefer deep water, but they will dam shallow streams and ditches to create suitable living conditions where they are protected from predators. Their activities create habitats used by countless species of plants, fungi, fish, invertebrates, amphibians, and mammals for food, shelter, and reproduction.

As well as the existing Beaver populations at Knapdale and at locations in East and Central Scotland, FLS also manages Loch Morlich, which recently saw the CNPA-led first release outwith existing populations on FLS land since the beavers were officially protected by law.

FLS plans further releases to help support the Scottish Government’s Beaver strategy, which aims to “actively expand the population to new catchments”, and is also looking at the suitability of other sites in North Region which are suitable for Beaver release.

In November 2023, FLS also completed a community asset transfer of 0.52 hectares of land in Knapdale - including the Barrandaimh farmhouse - to the Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation (HAWO), where they have established the Argyll Beaver Centre.

Notes to editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
2. Beaver Trust is a nature restoration charity restoring beavers to regenerate our landscapes. They provide practical solutions to help people live alongside beavers and support legislation that rebuilds ecosystems and strengthens climate resilience in a time of ecological and climate crisis. For more information visit beavertrust.org 
3. Home - Forestry and Land Scotland | twitter.com/ForestryLS
4. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot  
5. Beaver Trust media contact - Emily Bowen, Communications Officer at Beaver Trust emily@beavertrust.org - 07771 867 060