Move to return beavers to Badenoch and Strathspey continues
Work is pressing ahead to reintroduce beavers into parts of Badenoch and Strathspey possibly as soon as next year.
Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) members agreed in June to take a lead role in bringing back Eurasian beavers to the region to restore the ‘lost’ species.
Eurasian beavers now have European Protected Species status and the Scottish Government is supporting translocations to establish colonies outside of their current range.
CNPA chief executive Grant Moir provided an update to members on the project at today's board meeting in Grantown.
He stated: "Members of the Cairngorms Nature beaver working group including Scottish Land and Estates, Spey Fisheries Board and National Farmers Union Scotland, are working closely with CNPA in reaching out to land managers and interested parties in the national park to discuss the opportunities and concerns around beaver translocation.
"The CNPA's overall approach and work to date continues to be highly regarded by stakeholders.
"Recruitment will be under way soon for a fixed term post focussed on engagement, submitting an application, overseeing translocation and supporting land managers."
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The CNPA agreed in the summer to taking a lead role in returning them to suitable locations with the national park.
One member, Judith Webb, did acknowledge the move will raise concerns with many people within the park, despite it now being official Scottish Government policy.
But the board members agreed that it was better for the CNPA to have control of the process than for ad hoc introductions of beavers by individual landowners and other bodies.
