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Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Tay Beaver Study Group have advised land managers experiencing impacts from beavers not to resort to lethal control but to seek advice on mitigation methods. The role of the Tay beaver project officer, funded by SNH, included advisory visits for this purpose. SNH staff and contractors have also provided advice on avoiding leaving dependent young.

There are no legal restrictions on the types of firearms which may be used in the lethal control of beavers. There is a general prohibition on the use of any bow or cross-bow, or any explosive other than ammunition for a firearm, for the purpose of taking or killing any wild animal, under section 11 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Autopsies revealed that three beavers were shot with inappropriate calibres or ammunition or at a range at which the likelihood of immediate and humane death may be compromised.

Twenty one shot beavers have been surrendered to Scottish Natural Heritage or the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland for post mortem examination.

None of the animals which has been trapped, examined and released or subject to post-mortem examination appeared to be carrying any disease of significant concern to public or animal health. As expected, some individuals were found to be carrying diseases or parasites which are normally found in other wild animals in Scotland, as well as some that are unique to beavers.

Beavers are not currently legally protected in Scotland and lethal control with firearms is not prohibited. Legal options for management include protection and mitigation methods, such as the use of wire netting to protect trees, the installation of “beaver deceiver” flow devices to prevent flooding, as well as lethal control.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Tay Beaver Study Group have advised land managers experiencing impacts from beavers to refrain from the use of lethal control and to seek advice on mitigation methods. The role of the Tay beaver project officer, funded by SNH, included advisory visits for this purpose. SNH staff and contractors have also provided advice on the choice of effective firearms and ammunition, where it was apparent that a land manager was intent on lethal control of beavers. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency have also provided land managers with advice on managing the impacts of European beaver.

We do not have any information on which to base an estimate of the numbers of beavers shot in Scotland since 2010 and not collected for autopsy.

Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report Number 540: Distribution, Population Assessment and Activities of Beavers in Tayside reported on a 2012 survey which found 38-39 occupied territories at that time. The authors of the report suggest that this could equate to 106-187 animals. It is assumed that the population will have expanded since 2012, although we have no recent data to confirm the current population. A link to the report is below.

http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/540.pdf

Of the 21 beavers autopsied, (a) four were pregnant; and (b) a further two were lactating.

The Scottish Government does not believe there is an obligation to apply legal protection to the European beaver under the terms of the habitats directive at present, while beavers are still subject to a ministerial decision on whether they are to be reintroduced to Scotland. In the event that ministers decide that beavers should remain in Scotland it is expected that some form of legal protection will be applied.