First Wild Beavers Born in Cairngorms in 400 Years
- Two kits have been born in the Cairngorms, marking the first wild birth of beavers in Scotland in almost 400 years.
- This significant event follows the reintroduction of beavers to the national park.
- The restoration of beaver populations is an important step in supporting local ecosystems.
Conservationists from the Beaver Trust have announced a significant milestone in Scotland's wildlife restoration efforts, with the birth of the first wild-born beavers in the Cairngorms since the species vanished from the region over 400 years ago. The two kits were born following the release of four beaver families into selected areas of Cairngorms National Park late last year, marking a hopeful resurgence for the species. The first kit was born on land managed by Wildland Cairngorms Ltd, while the second was welcomed at Rothiemurchus, near Aviemore. Beavers were initially reintroduced to Scotland in 2009, but the journey has been complicated by instances of illegal releases. The reintroduction project is a collaborative effort involving the Cairngorm National Park Authority, RSPB Scotland, and Wildland Cairngorms Ltd, which oversees several estates in the area. In addition to the successful births, a further release of three beavers took place in March at RSPB Scotland's Insh Marshes nature reserve, following health checks after their capture in the River Tay catchment area. These releases are part of ongoing efforts to establish beaver populations in various regions, including Tayside, the Forth, Knapdale, and Loch Lomond. Dr. Roisin Campbell-Palmer from the Beaver Trust expressed optimism about the future, stating that the birth of the kits is a culmination of the partners' hopes for the project this summer, highlighting the importance of these efforts in restoring Scotland's natural heritage.