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A NEW bid to bring the extinct European beaver back to Mid Argyll was launched this week.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) want a trial reintroduction of the beaver in Knapdale Forest.
If successful, the proposal would see beavers living in the wild in Scotland for the first time since they were hunted to extinction in the sixteenth century. Two years ago a Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) bid to reintroduce the beaver failed when they were refused a licence.
Clara Govier of SWT said: ‘This is the chance to reintroduce a really charismatic character that is missing from our wildlife.’
The SWT and the RZSS have launched a two-month consultation to ensure that local communities near to the proposed trial site are aware and informed of the proposal, and are given the chance to give their views.
Hugh Semple, chairman of North Knapdale Community Council, said: ‘The last time it came up the general feeling was against it.
‘The general mood here has been ‘what’s the point in spending a lot of time and money doing that when they could be doing other things’. For example getting rid of the mink, which is causing a lot of harm here.’
Clara Govier said: ‘Beavers play an important role in aquatic and wetland eco-systems, having a positive effect on both environmental and woodland management, and on the wider biodiversity of the area in which they live. They can also play an important role in encouraging wildlife tourism, with positive spin-offs for local communities.’
A licence is required before any trial reintroduction of the beaver can take place. The new consultation is designed to build on the national and local consultations undertaken as part of the previous application by SNH. Responses will be collated as part of the new licence application and a summary will be made publicly available. The consultation, which will run until November 30, will involve face-to-face meetings with key local organisations, a public meeting and a drop-in day. A leaflet has been distributed to all households within the immediate vicinity of the proposed trial site. Members of the public can find out more about the trial, and how to respond to the consultation, by logging on to the organisations’ websites at www.swt.org.uk and www.rzss.org.uk .
A talk – The return of the beaver, will take place on October 18 in Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, near Oban from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Members of the public are invited to attend.
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