The project to introduce four beaver families to Knapdale has received yet another financial boost with the announcement the scheme is to receive £40,000.

UK conservation charity, the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), has pledged the money to support the Scottish Beaver Trial over the first two years of the project.

This is the second financial backing the trial has received in just over a month, after Biffaward pledged £1million in early December.

Spanning a six-year period, the Scottish Beaver Trial will see up to four beaver families released in Knapdale in spring 2009.  

Jill Nelson, PTES Chief Executive, said: ‘Our work sees us battle daily to save endangered species, and with many species declining at an alarming rate in the UK it is a real pleasure to support a project which will reintroduce a once-native mammal back to the wild. 

By contributing to animal capture, quarantine and release costs, PTES will help the beaver families make it to their new home in Scotland.’

Simon Jones, SWT Project Manager for the Scottish Beaver Trial, said: ‘PTES’ support really highlights the fact that we are bringing back an animal that was once native to Scotland.  Indeed, we have chosen to reintroduce Norwegian beavers because records indicate they are the closest genetic species to those found in Scotland over 400 years ago.

‘With four Norwegian beaver families now successfully captured and installed in quarantine facilities in Devon, our project is now gaining real momentum and the level of public interest in our progress has been amazing.’

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