FAQ: How many beavers have been released and what has happened to them?
Between May 2009 and September 2010 16 beavers have been released into the Knapdale trial area in five distinct family groups. All releases follow strict Scottish Government licence conditions and are monitored by veterinary surgeons. Following release all beavers are tracked daily by Scottish Beaver Trial field staff.
In May 2009 a family of four beavers (adult pair + two juvenile females) was released into Loch Coille Bharr. One juvenile female dispersed soon after release and has not been recorded since that time. The remaining family members moved to the nearby Dubh Loch in the late summer of 2009 and they have remained there since. The adult pair bred and produced a single kit in the spring of 2010.
Also in May 2009 another family of four beavers (adult pair + two male juvenile males) were released onto Loch Linne. Unfortunately one of the juveniles died within hours of release, although a post mortem was inconclusive. The remaining family members are still resident on Loch Linne and the adult pair bred and produced a single kit in spring 2010.
The final release in May 2009 saw a family of three beavers (adult pair + one female kit) released onto Creagh Mhor loch. For reasons unknown this entire family disappeared from this site only a few days after release and only the adult male has subsequently been recaptured. He was found approximately 10kms north of the trial area living in a woodland burn close to the coast. After an initial relocation back into the trial area this beaver was found to be in poor condition and, following expert veterinary advice, was taken back into captivity in Edinburgh Zoo, where he unfortunately died several weeks later. The adult female and kit remain unaccounted for.
In May 2010 a fourth family, comprising of a young male and female pair without offspring were released at Knapdale to a site known locally as the 'Lily Loch'. Sadly the male died shortly after release, failing to adapt to life back in the wild and the lone female then moved to the nearby Loch Buic, where she remains. In September 2010 a replacement young male beaver was released into Loch Buic and fortunately now appears to have established a new pair bond with the resident female.
In June 2010 a fifth pair (young male and female) was released, this time to act as replacements for the original family from Creagh Mhor loch. This pair are now resident on this loch and the neighbouring Lochan Beag.
