Management Framework For Beavers in Questions Answered

Frequently Asked Questions Beaver population in Scotland 1. How many beavers are there living in the wild in Scotland, when were they released and are they spreading? We do know there are two separate populations of beavers living in the wild in Scotland – in the west is the Scottish Beaver Trial population, introduction of which was over a 5 year period commencing in 2009, and in the east are the Tayside beavers which are thought to have been present since at least 2006 (and are thought to originate either from escapes from private collections and/or illegal releases). The survey carried out on the Tay catchment in 2017/18 gives us best knowledge of the range and number of beavers. The survey established 114 active territories widespread throughout the Tay catchment and its tributaries and included early signs of animals establishing in the Forth catchment. In 2012 survey work estimated that there were around 38 to 39 beaver groups. The 2017 survey findings suggests an approximately 3-fold increase in the population over a five year period although some areas where culling is undertaken have shown a slight decrease. The Scottish Beaver Trial at Knapdale was designed as a short-term trial, and not as a way of establishing a founder population that might be viable in the longer term. The last detailed survey at Knapdale (after the trial had officially finished) was in August 2016. At least eight animals were identified, in two to possibly three breeding groups. This population is being reinforced between 2017 and 2019 with up to 28 new animals. 2. Why was there no prosecution for the unauthorised releases of beavers in Tayside? There was insufficient evidence of an offence under the terms of the legislation in force at the time. Police Scotland, with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, (COPFS) has responsibility for gathering evidence and prosecuting wildlife offences. SNH’s role is to provide specialist advice and support to these bodies when requested. In ~2006, Wildlife crime officers from the former Tayside Police made an extensive investigation, liaised with the specialist wildlife crime prosecutor at Perth and submitted a case against an individual charged with unlawfully releasing or allowing beavers to escape in to the wild. The prosecutor made the decision that because of the wording in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the case was unlikely to be successful. The wording at the time being to ‘release or allow to escape into the wild any animal not ordinarily resident in or a regular visitor to Great Britain in a wild state; or to release or allow to escape from captivity any animal listed on Schedule 9 to the Act. In order to proceed with a prosecution the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) need to establish Mens rea (criminal intent) which forms the basis of Scots criminal law. Their view was that criminal intent, as opposed to accidental escape, would be very difficult to show. The W&CA 1981 was amended by the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011) – [WANE Act], such that it became an offence for any person to release, or allow to escape from captivity any animal to a place outwith its native range’ or to otherwise cause any animal outwith the control of any person to be at a place outwith its native range. Unlicensed release of beavers into Tayside occurred circa 2006 and so before the changes brought by the WANE Act.

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3. How is the beaver population likely to develop, given that they have no natural predators in Britain? How quickly do we expect beaver numbers and range to expand?

It is difficult to answer that question right now and predict where and the rate of range expansion but the recent 2017 Tay survey results and new computer modelling techniques for beaver population expansion should allow further investigation of this.

In optimal and empty habitats, populations can expand by 15-20% per annum. Distribution in Tayside currently ranges from as far north as Dunalastair Water, extending out to the River Dochart and River Lyon in the west, over to Forfar in the east and down to Loch Earn in the south. Small numbers of territories occur within the Forth catchment from Loch Achray in the , parts of the Teith and Devon, and the main stem of the Forth near . It is difficult to predict any range expansion and by habit exploring animals will settle in an empty landscape and then subsequently new territories will infill. In the longer term, we can probably expect animals to move into the upper reaches of the Trossachs National Park and west towards Dunblane. Other suggestions would be speculative.

Adult beavers don’t have any natural predators in Britain, but young beavers remain vulnerable both to predation by foxes, otters or large raptors and to other causes of mortality (such as disease, weather conditions, food availability, road deaths and competition and conflict with other beavers etc.) as with any wild animal population. Relatively high levels of kit loss were recorded during the trial in Knapdale, although it is uncertain to what extent this may have resulted from predation, some other cause of mortality or dispersal from the site.

4. Why is the Knapdale population being reinforced with more beavers? If the Knapdale population is to persist, additional animals will be needed to create a self- sustaining population. The small number of animals released under licence in the original Scottish Beaver Trial was not intended as a founder population. 5. Are more beaver reintroductions going to happen?

The have clearly set out that beavers will be allowed to expand their range naturally from the two existing Scottish populations, rather than through any further releases. We have a Translocation Policy which sets out our approach in this respect.

6. What is the conservation status of beavers in Scotland?

Although there has been no formal requirement to report to the EU on conservation status of beavers in the UK, we consider that as long as populations continue to increase in number and range the conservation status of beavers in Scotland can be considered as being favourable. As well as the information on population dynamics we know that there is a large amount of suitable habitat for beavers and consider that their future prospects are good but we will continue to monitor this.

7. What’s happening/happened to Beauly beaver population?

SNH commissioned work to remove all animals from Beauly and this is now complete but will carry out another survey of the area shortly. With the Ministerial announcement that the Scottish Government was minded to allow beavers to remain in Scotland, they made clear that while the species will be permitted to extend its range naturally, further unauthorised releases of beavers will be a criminal act and that swift action would be taken in such circumstances to prevent a repeat of the experience on Tayside. We want to plan for, and manage, the natural spread of the Eurasian species of beaver in Scotland. However, the Beauly animals were the result of an unauthorised

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release. We don’t know where they came from and what animal and public health screening they may or may not have gone through. In a planned reintroduction the combination of animals to be released to ensure a healthy and sufficiently diverse population is also considered. There was no prior consultation with the local community about how the beavers might interact with land and fisheries management, and no thought given to the best places to support a healthy beaver population, where people can benefit from them. With the population in Tayside, all of these matters had to be addressed in retrospect, which was much more complicated.

Legislation, licensing and beaver protection 8. Will the European Protected Species status of beavers be affected by Brexit?

Once European Protected Species status is given, their protection will be set out in Scottish legislation. Therefore Brexit will not have an impact on their status as a protected species. 9. What level of protection will beavers receive as European Protected Species?

As European Protected Species it will be an offence to;

 Capture, injure or kill a beaver;  Harass a beaver or group of beavers;  Disturb a beaver while it is occupying a structure or place which it uses for shelter or protection;  Disturb a beaver while it is rearing or otherwise caring for its young;  Obstruct access to a breeding site or resting place of beavers, or otherwise to deny the animal use of that site or place;  Disturb a beaver in a manner that is, or in circumstances which are, likely to significantly affect the local distribution or abundance of the species;  Disturb a beaver in a manner that is, or in circumstances which are, likely to impair its ability to survive, breed or reproduce, or rear or otherwise care for its young.

It is also an offence to:

 Damage or destroy a beaver’s breeding site or resting place (note: this does not need to be deliberate or reckless to constitute an offence);  Keep, transport, sell or offer for sale or exchange any wild beaver or any part or derivative of one (if obtained after 10 June 1994).

Note: the Regulations also list a number of exceptions and defences to these offences, but these are not considered here. For a full list of these the legislation itself should be consulted.

10. When is a possession licence needed and why?

When beavers are given EPS status, it will be illegal to possess, control, transport, sell or exchange specimens. This generally means that a licence would be required for possession. Licences for lethal control will permit possession in order to dispose of carcasses and licences will also be available for possession of specimens for scientific, research or educational purposes.

11. Do I need a licence to release beavers? Yes. It remains an offence to allow beavers to escape from captivity or to release a beaver without a licence from SNH. Our translocation policy provides details on the limited situations when we would licence translocations.

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12. Who is responsible for taking action against illegal releases?

Police Scotland with the COPFS has responsibility for gathering evidence and prosecuting wildlife offences. We provide advice and support to these bodies when requested.

13. How does SNH deal with access to information requests on beaver licensing?

SNH has considerable experience in the application of the requirements of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004. We apply good practice to any information requests based on the findings of the Scottish Information Commissioner.

Managing beavers 14. What is the Management Framework for Beavers in Scotland? The framework covers the suite of policy, guidance and actions that SNH and others will take to manage beavers and their activity in Scotland, ensuring natural expansion while minimising problems and realising benefits for people and nature. The five main elements that make up the framework are: i) production of management guidance, ii) provision of specialist technical advice, iii) mitigation management and demonstration scheme, iv) monitoring, research and survey and v) effective communication with stakeholders. 15. What is the Mitigation scheme for and who can apply? The scheme is to provide support and advice to any land manager who is experiencing beaver activity that needs to be managed. Mostly this will be beaver foraging/felling, dam building or burrowing. The scheme will pay for expert beaver advice as well as equipment and installation costs using techniques developed across Europe and North America or trialling new methods. 16. Who do I speak to if I have beaver activity that is causing problems? If you want more information about beavers that you have seen on land you manage, you can read the SNH 'Beavers in Scotland' Report to Scottish Government. We can also provide specialist advice on a case-by-case basis should the need arise. If you feel there may be issues not covered in the reports, or that some additional advice on techniques is needed, we can provide an advisory site visit. Contact: the licensing helpline on 01463 725 364 or email: [email protected] 17. How do I know what management needs a licence and if so, how do I get one?

Our guidance for land managers document in the framework gives details on what does and does not require a licence and how to get one.

18. I have standing trees on my land that are partly gnawed by beaver, can I simply fell them? What can I do to prevent this happening elsewhere?

It is an offence to fell trees without a felling licence, except under some specific circumstances. For example a licence is not required if the tree is located within a garden or orchard, or if it is less than 8 cm diameter. Trees that are considered dangerous would not need a licence to be felled, however to be considered dangerous the tree must present an imminent danger to life or property.

Individual trees, or multiple trees felled over a period of time, may be felled without a licence if their cumulative volume is less than 5 cubic meters in any calendar quarter. Felling licences are normally granted with the condition that the land will be replanted with new trees once felling has

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been completed. Failure to obtain a licence before felling trees is an offence and may result in a fine.

Circumstances related to licensing will change in April 2019 therefore we recommend you always contact your local Woodland Officer to discuss individual cases, but especially where there is any doubt on the requirement for a felling licence.

Trees can be protected from beavers by use of physical barriers such as fences or individual tree guards. This work does not require a licence from SNH.

19. Will removing trees from my land stop beavers living there?

Not necessarily as beavers can adapt their habitat to suit. Beavers are entirely herbivorous and though they are renowned for their tree-felling activities (both for using woody material to build and for feeding on bark, leaves and young shoots), they have a very wide diet. The majority of beaver feeding, especially during the plant growing season, consists of non-woody vegetation with beavers documented as eating over 300+ plant species. During autumn and winter, they tend to switch to a woodier diet and hence tree-felling activities increase. Beavers will also fell more trees when they newly occupy an area as they are utilising them for building. Beaver territories also often comprise several kilometres of bank length per family groups, therefore a range of habitat type and quality, along with tree coverage, will exist. Beavers are also highly adaptive and will access and utilise habitats to suit their needs. Therefore, the removal of trees in some areas by no means dissuades beavers from utilising an area and will serve no function in beaver mitigation strategies.

We would strongly advise against this approach to beaver mitigation management as riparian woodland serves many other benefits including bank protection, enhanced aquatic biodiversity and fisheries management. FCS would have significant reservations about this approach and would be particularly concerned if a felling licence was avoided or there was no intent to re-plant.

Beaver ecology 20. What are the effects of beavers on their local environment? Beavers are widely considered to be ‘ecosystem engineers’, which means they can sometimes have a big impact on habitats and species by changing the physical environment. Beavers create and manage wetland habitats, change woodland structure, and create deadwood habitat which in turn may often benefit a range of invertebrates, fish, bats, birds and other species. Under certain conditions these changes may help regulate water flow. Their activity is mostly restricted to freshwater and nearby river, stream or loch banks, particularly where broadleaved woodland is present. At the catchment and landscape scales, they increase the diversity of different habitat types present. Substantial areas of habitat potentially suited to beavers occur across much of Scotland. Other habitats in Scotland would generally be unaffected by the presence of beavers. 21. What about the effects of beavers on plants and animals?

This is summarised in our ‘Beavers in Scotland’ report. We believe that, overall, beavers would benefit a wide range of species as a result of these changes. Species like amphibians, otters, water voles, bats, waterfowl and other birds that like wetland and pond habitats, and many invertebrates (including those that live in dead wood, another important habitat) would benefit from these changes.

Some species may be disadvantaged at a local scale. However, those that are disadvantaged may move into new habitat created by beavers or their remaining habitat may be improved, which means the effects are neutral or have overall benefits at the wider scale.

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However, some species and habitats of high conservation importance have the potential to be adversely affected by beavers. This is especially the case where they might be isolated and in close proximity to river, stream or loch banks. Without appropriate management, there may be localised losses of stands of aspen and Atlantic hazel near rivers, streams or lochs, and other species associated with them (like lichens). The regeneration of other tree species felled by beavers may also be hindered where there are too many deer. There may be potential benefits of beaver presence for migratory salmonids, but there may also be possible adverse impacts, especially on the spring stock component of Atlantic salmon. Therefore it would be important to monitor these types of effects, and if necessary to put appropriate management in place.

22. Which beaver built structures are protected? Beaver built structures which are protected are those associated with breeding sites or resting places whilst the territory is active. As beavers are a wide ranging species, protected structures associated with the breeding or resting sites are restricted to a clearly de-limited location. For the breeding site, this is defined as a natal lodge, and any associated natal dam and chambered burrows, and for a resting place, as a lodge or chambered burrow. Importantly, dams can protect these structures so removal of such dams could be illegal without a licence. It can be very difficult to know if a particular dam is protecting such a structure so we advise that you contact us.

23. How do I identify a channel dug by a beaver? Beaver dug channels, commonly called canals, generally begin at the edge of a deeper water course such as a burn, pond, river or loch. They mainly function as access points to feeding resources as beavers tend not to want to travel over land where it is possible to use water, even if it is very shallow. These canals are used to transport feeding and building materials and provide escape routes back to deeper water. Beavers may actively excavate forage trails to create canals, with the debris often placed on either side of the canal in irregular mounds and signs of claw marks may be visible, especially in newly dug areas. The sides may often become smooth with repeated climbing of beavers over them, foot prints may be evident especially at points where beavers leave the canal, though it should be noted footprints are often distorted or destroyed by the tail dragging behind. Evidence of fresh feeding such as peeled sticks is often present in and around these mounds. Canals tend to be fairly shallow - 40-50cm deep and ~50cm wide, but this can vary. They tend to be straight, ending in an obvious feeding area, and can extend from a couple of metres to ~150m or more inland, though this depends greatly on food source and substrate. Any newly appearing, narrow dug water filled structures with beaver feeding signs in close association should be investigated as potential canals. Canals may contain one or a series of small dams. The lifetime of canals varies, and what is at one time a heavily used trail can become abandoned and then overgrown again. Guidance on identifying structures and their protection can be found in the ecological definitions document in the management framework.

24. How do I identify a short beaver burrow with no end chamber? Burrows offer protection and easy access to deeper water. There are often numerous burrows within any beaver territory, though this can vary greatly with bank substrate and stability, length of territory occupation and family group size. Beaver burrows are large, >40cm in width, and exit along a fresh water bank, underwater (depending on water levels), making them readily distinguishable from other species. This means that the majority of burrows are often not visible and their presence may go undetected unless they collapse and/or their entrances are exposed during low water fluctuations. 6 Updated: 4 March 2019

It should be noted that although burrows have a common function, they varying greatly in their in use, ranging from acting as a day resting up site to a regularly occupied breeding site with chambers. Any burrows suspected as a breeding site should not be interfered with and further advice sought. It may be possible to inspect a beaver burrow and to be able to quite obviously see it is a short burrow with no chambers. For example, when water levels drop and entrance becomes exposed and the entire burrow can be viewed; or more likely, when the top of a burrow collapses, often on the bank above, allowing the whole burrow to be viewed down to the water line; or when the beaver create an open-ended burrow and again the entire burrow can be viewed. Under other circumstances in which the entire burrow cannot be viewed, or there are bends in the burrow so it cannot be confirmed that chambers do not exist, then further advice should be sought before action is taken. It should be noted that mitigation, such as infilling a collapsed burrow, will not prevent further burrowing elsewhere. Guidance on identifying structures and their protection can be found in the ecological definitions document in the management framework.

25. How do I identify a natal dam? Beaver may have numerous dams within their territory, depending on the hydrology and topography of the habitat. Dams serve to impound water and stabilise fluctuations in water levels. Dams also have varying longevity, some are only maintained as long as to enable beavers to access a food resource and can be washed out seasonally, while others enable burrow and lodge entrances to remain submerged and are therefore more protective in function and maintained more thoroughly. Natal dams are defined as those maintaining water levels directly associated with the breeding lodge or burrow. Therefore, their removal will lead to the exposure of breeding site entrances and jeopardies the welfare of any breeding adults and kits present, thereby considered a direct disturbance during the breeding period. Natal dams can be difficult to identify unless a breeding lodge/burrow is known. Any dam supporting a pond, especially during breeding season, should be carefully considered before any mitigation. Also in tiered dam systems, the removal of lower and newer dams would be considered more acceptable compared with removal of upper more mature dams impounding deeper water. However, it should be noted every beaver territory will vary and so further advice should be sought if in doubt. As a general rule, new dams appearing in undesirable positions, especially ahead of the dispersal and breeding season should be removed as soon as possible, as this ensures the beavers do not have time to establish potential breeding sites behind them and therefore considered less impact on welfare. If undesirable dams are allowed to be maintained and become mature, there is more chance of a breeding site being present and so potentially greater welfare impact by their removal. We therefore advise that if a dam is less than 2 weeks old it can be removed without jeopardising a breeding site but if the dam is older than this advice should be sought. Guidance on identifying structures and their protection can be found in the ecological definitions document in the management framework.

26. How do I identify an active lodge or chambered burrow? Beavers may use multiple lodges and burrows within their territory, and these can be used by different family members, especially during the spring and summer. A family unit does tend to over winter in one main lodge or burrow. These tend to be more easily identifiable in autumn as during this time beavers may create a food cache outside the entrance, cover the outer layer of lodge in 7 Updated: 4 March 2019

fresh mud and vegetation and generally create more obvious forage trails and haul out points in and around this area. During the rest of the year family members, especially the breeding male and older siblings may sporadically use other lodges and burrows, away from the breeding site. It should also be noted that beavers may use a lodge or burrow then abandon it for several seasons, building new ones, only to return to it later. Identifying an active lodge or chambered burrow may be complicated. There are several features to look for which are likely to include: presence of fresh feeding, especially peeled sticks on top off and around the lodge or burrow; lodge having some form of mud or fresh material on top – doesn’t look ‘dry’ or lacking substrate between woody material; if water is clear and not too deep, a trench/canal-like excavation may be visible in the bed of the waterbody to indicate repeated entry and exit from submerged entrances. In still water, turbidity may indicate beaver activity disturbing base sediment the night before. If time permits, evening observations especially during the summer, may also give a good indication of activity and occupation. Guidance on identifying structures and their protection can be found in the ecological definitions document in the management framework.

27. How is the 2 week dam removal rule applied? Expert opinion has been sought and it has been agreed that a very new dam will unlikely be an integral part of a breeding site. As a best guide this has been agreed as less than 2 weeks. It can therefore be removed without requiring a licence from SNH. Unless a dam is very new (less than 2 weeks) then removal of that dam or modification of it could also constitute an offence and should only be carried out under licence. 28. Why is the lethal control of beavers allowed under licence? Lethal control is considered a last resort. However, we accept that there are situations where there will be no alternative other than for lethal control. This includes where we know alternative mitigation measures either have not or will not address the problems being experienced and where damming activity threatens serious damage to important interests e.g. prime agricultural land, where many farmers have already had experience of issues caused by damming and burrowing and other methods to prevent this have been unsuccessful or unfeasible in the long-term. Provided that the number and range of beavers continue to increase in Scotland, we will consider that lethal control is unlikely to be detrimental to the conservation status of beavers. 29. What is the kit dependency period? Beavers have a single litter of kits, (1-5 but usually 2-3) a year, born usually between April and mid-June. From the time they are born, kits are physically dependant on their mother until aged around 62 days old – this is known as the kit dependency period. After this time they have fully developed locomotion as well as grooming and defensive (escape) behaviours. They exhibit all the main social behaviours and can eat mainly solids, handle twigs/stalks, and peel bark. 30. What are accredited controllers? ‘Accredited controllers’ undertaking lethal control of beavers have taken part in (free) training facilitated by SNH to ensure a standardised level of basic competency that safeguards animal welfare concerns and develops appropriate conduct for a highly protected species. It is envisaged that this arrangement will allow for capacity building in the voluntary, land management and community sectors and will build trust. This arrangement will be reviewed after the first year, with the aim that in the longer term, and providing the approach can be seen to be working, once experience and requisite skills are more widespread, lethal control, whilst still only under licence, could be open to anyone with suitable fire arms qualifications. 8 Updated: 4 March 2019

31. What do I do if I find a dead beaver? You can contact SNH for advice. We may arrange collection of specimens for post mortem and analysis or can advise if carcasses should be left or disposed of. It is an offence to possess a dead beaver. 32. How do I avoid disturbing a beaver? The law does not define disturbance in relation to beavers but we advise that you can avoid disturbing beavers by considering whether your actions are such that they would be likely to lead to a change in beaver behaviour or activities which result in a longer term harmful impact on individual welfare/survival and or dependent young, local distribution and abundance of animals. We advise that this would usually be reckless behaviour or repeated and sustained activity resulting in restricted access to suitable foraging habitat and physical damage to key beaver built structures, (i.e. breeding sites and resting places) preventing access to these, and any interruption of normal ecological behaviour that goes beyond a short-term temporary period which could lead to desertion of territories. Experience shows that beavers demonstrate a capacity to tolerate and actively utilise human- dominated landscapes. Disturbance to beavers would not include for example, infrequent, short term responses e.g. startle response where a beaver might swim away from walkers using a riverbank footpath perhaps, as this would not result in a longer term behavioural changes or welfare impacts. 33. When would beaver translocation (trap & relocate) happen? Translocations can only be carried out under licence. Translocations are likely oto only be are likely ot be appropriate in only limited circumstances and under 3 main categories; Management translocation: Where the presence of beavers is causing adverse impacts to other interests and there is a need to intervene. Conservation translocation: Where a proposal has come forward to relocate beavers to support a conservation project (e.g. a reintroduction). Welfare translocation: Where sick, injured or orphaned beavers are rescued and rehabilitated, but have to be released away from where they were found. Translocations will only be acceptable if there is a strong case that the identified need would be satisfied by the translocation. For management translocations this would mean that the removal of an animal(s) would resolve the problems that are being experienced. Conservations translocations, such as reintroduction or reinforcement projects, would only be acceptable if they were part of a recognised and approved proposal. In all cases this would mean that we would expect the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations to be adhered to. A sick, injured or orphaned beaver may be rescued and rehabilitated, and would normally be released at its site of capture. If that is not possible for some reason, a welfare translocation may be considered to area suitable receptor site. Translocation will only be acceptable if an appropriate receptor site has been identified. Given the Minister’s statement that the Scottish beaver populations should naturally expand in range from the two original populations, this means that in Scotland suitable receptor sites would have to be within the current range of beavers at that time. This is likely to mean that translocation in Scotland would only be permitted within gaps in this range or to reinforce the existing Knapdale population. Conservation translocation to areas outside of Scotland would only be acceptable as part of an approved project as described above.

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34. How can I stop beavers building dams and burrowing into my banks?

This can be difficult to achieve and we would advise that you contact us for specialist advice to address any problems you might have or anticipate.

35. My neighbour has a beaver dam which is flooding my land. How do I prevent this?

Your neighbour is under certain legal duties regarding the management of their land insofar as it affects you, including in terms of the Land Drainage Acts.

However, a person is guilty of a criminal offence if they (either intentionally or recklessly) damage or destroy any structure or place which a beaver uses for shelter or protection (such as a dam that could protects such a place). It may however be possible for your neighbour to obtain a licence to take necessary steps to alleviate the problem. Advice should be sought from SNH who will be able to discuss mitigation techniques.

There are mitigation methods which can be built in to beaver dams – called beaver deceivers, which would ensure water flow is maintained. If an approach to your neighbour to take forward mitigation measures would best come from SNH then we would arrange a visit from one of our technical specialists. If no agreement could be reached then this would become a civil matter between neighbours.

36. My neighbour wants to shoot the beavers in my area, can I stop him?

If beavers are causing significant socio-economic damage in an area and there are no alternatives to culling, then lethal control under licence may be the only solution. To be effective, the whole family needs to be removed, which could mean removing animals in your area. We would therefore look for cooperation between neighbours over the degree or risk of damage and the best mitigation measures. If you do not, however, want your neighbour shooting beavers in your area then they will not have the legal right to access your land for this purpose without your agreement. He can continue to control the same territorial beavers on his ground which means in time, that beavers could disappear from your area.

Further, as beavers have now been added to the list of European Protected Species, it is a criminal offence to kill, injure or capture them. However, in certain circumstances, a licence to shoot beavers may be issued by SNH in accordance with the law on protected species.

If you anticipate that a criminal offence may be committed, you should report matters to the police.

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