The Scottish Beaver Trial: Veterinary Monitoring of the Knapdale Beaver Population 2009-2014

Gidona Goodman DVM MSc (Wild Animal Health) MRCVS Exotic Animal and Wildlife Unit, R(D)SVS University of Edinburgh

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The Scottish Beaver Trial: Veterinary Monitoring of the Knapdale Beaver Population 2009-2014

Gidona Goodman DVM MSc (Wild Animal Health) MRCVS Exotic Animal and Wildlife Unit, R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh

Summary Sixteen Norwegian wild-caught beavers (Castor fiber) were released in Scotland between 2009 and 2010 as part of the five year Scottish Beaver Trial. All animals underwent a thorough clinical examination and were screened for a variety of animal and human pathogens. No significant pathogens were isolated that precluded any animal for release. Post-release health monitoring continued from 2010 to 2014 through trapping and visual observations. As a result of this monitoring one animal was removed from the trial due to poor body condition. Two animals died shortly after release; one with circulatory failure and one for which the cause of death was not determined. Two kits died, most likely due to predation. Body weights of adult beavers post-release remain within the expected weight range for Norwegian beavers.

The University of Edinburgh, Goodman G. 2014. The Scottish Beaver Trial: Veterinary Monitoring of the Knapdale Beaver Population 2009-2014. [email protected]

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Table of Contents Page

1. Introduction 4 1.1 Background 4 1.2 Objectives 4

2. Methodology and results 4 2.1 Pre-release health monitoring 4 2.1.1 Quarantine 4 2.1.2 Health assessment 5 2.1.3 Pathogen screening 6 2.2 Release of animals in to the wild 6 2.3 Post-release health monitoring 7 2.3.1 Health assessment 7 2.3.2 Post-release removal from the trial 8

3. Discussion 8 3.1 General discussion 8 3.2 Results 9

4. Health monitoring beyond the trial 10

5. Further release of beavers to the wild 10 5.1 Key points 10

6. References 11

Appendix A Scottish beaver Trial Family Tree 13

Appendix B Body weight and tail thickness of selected individual 14 beavers over the trial period

Appendix C Health screen results of beavers released into Knapdale 17 2008-2014

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1. Introduction

1.1 Background In 2008 the Scottish Government granted a licence to the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to conduct a five year trial on the reintroduction of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) in Knapdale on the west coast of Scotland. Beavers have been extinct in Scotland since the 16th century due to hunting. This is the first controlled and licensed release of a wild mammal into the UK. In May 2009 eleven beavers (three families) trapped originally in Norway were released at Knapdale, followed by another five animals in 2010.

1.2 Objectives Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is coordinating the independent monitoring programme to assess the impacts of the Scottish Beaver Trial. SNH is leading a number of monitoring projects in collaboration with various independent monitoring partners. Beaver health is one of the elements being monitored independently by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Veterinary input was provided by the author prior to the start of trial and throughout the five year period, to provide veterinary support and fulfil the following objectives: 1. Ensure animal welfare at all stages of the trial. 2. Ensure that reintroduced animals are fit and healthy for release. 3. Ensure no diseases of risk to livestock, wildlife or of risk to humans are introduced with the beavers.

The veterinary involvement, guidelines and testing to meet the above objectives varied as the trial entered the different phases; pre-release, initial release and post- release. The report structure reflects these different phases.

2. Methodology and results The methodology and results of the beaver health monitoring from 2009-2014 are summarised in three different phases. 1. Pre-release when the beavers were in captivity during statutory quarantine and awaiting the results of health tests. 2. Release phase, which includes the days surrounding the release phase. 3. Post-release until the end of the trial duration.

2.1 Pre-release health monitoring

2.1.1 Quarantine Wild beavers were trapped in Norway, transported to the UK by air and placed in specially designated quarantine facilities. UK legislation at the time required imported beavers to be placed in approved rabies quarantine facilities for six months.

Full details on the quarantine facilities and monitoring of animals during this period can be found in the SBT 2014 publication: The Scottish Beaver Trial: the story of the first licensed release of beavers into the wild in the UK (In press).

Despite the beavers being housed in purpose built facilities, the main mortalities occurred during the quarantine period, with the deaths of six animals. No common cause of death was identified. Four animals had signs of infection or inflammation. Page 5 of 20

One adult female had an infected anal gland and colitis. No pathogens were isolated from either organ. Escherichia coli was isolated from the intestine and liver of a male kit with an inflammatory reaction in the small intestines. One adult female had a meningitis/encephalitis but no significant bacteria were cultured. An adult male had osteomyelitis of the coccygeal vertebra (Arcanobacterium pyogenes isolated) and liver necrosis. In two animals no primary cause could be identified, this included an autolysed female kit from which no pathogens were isolated and a juvenile female in poor body condition with severe intestinal parasitism.

In view of these mortality events occurring while in captivity, a case was made to the Scottish government veterinary advisors to allow for a reduced quarantine period and to import the beavers under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (England) (Amendment) Order 2004 which permits the import of rodents to zoos and research institutes without rabies quarantine. The probability of these animals being infected with rabies was negligible as Norway’s mainland was considered rabies-free. Subsequently, four animals were allowed into Scotland following veterinary certification by an official Norwegian Food and Safety (Mattilsynet) veterinarian declaring them rabies-free. They were held in Norway for a month to complete other health tests prior to direct transfer to Scotland.

2.1.2 Health assessment All animals were examined thoroughly under general anaesthesia about a month prior to release (Fig. 1). This allowed for a detailed clinical examination. The clinical examination followed normal veterinary practices and included examination of the head (eyes, ears and teeth), skin, fur and tail (for ectoparasites and injuries), abdominal palpation, auscultation and cardiac evaluation. All animals were weighed and a subcutaneous microchip was inserted, or previous placement confirmed, under the skin at the back of the neck. The gender of each animal was also confirmed using one or more methods such as palpation of the baculum (or penis) or the color and viscosity of the anal gland secretions.

Blood samples were taken to verify that haematological and biochemical blood values were within the normal range for this species and to check that there was no underlying disease (see 2.1.3).

Figure 1. Auscultation of a beaver under general anaesthesia.

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2.1.3 Pathogen screening The list of potential diseases included in the pre-release health screens were based on the International Union of Conservation of Nature guidelines (IUCN) for rodents published by Woodford (2000) and incorporated governmental (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and public health concerns such as rabies, giardiasis and tularaemia. A literature search on reported diseases in captive and wild beavers was also used to complete the list using CAB ABSTRACTS, BIOSIS and MEDLINE databases.

Appendix C summarises the health screen results per individual animal.

Faecal samples were submitted for bacterial enteric pathogens. Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Clostridium spp. and Yersinia spp. were specifically requested. Faecal samples also underwent floatation with saturated salt solution for nematodes and sedimentation for trematodes. Faecal samples were screened for Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. Serology was used to screen for antibodies to Franciscella tularensis and Leptospira spp.

All animals were negative for zoonotic enteric bacterial pathogens such as Campylobacter spp. Salmonella and Yersinia spp. Neither Giardia spp. nor Cryptosporidium spp. were detected. All animals were seronegative for Franciscella tularensis antibodies. In our program five animals were seropositive for Leptospira spp. antibodies. This included the serovars L. saxkoebing, L. canicola, L. copenhageni, L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L. autumnalis and L. javanica. Numerous helminths were identified in the faecal samples. In eight animals Travassosius rufus and beaver fluke (Stichorchis subtriquetrus) were the most commonly identified parasites. The Norwegian beavers were not deemed at risk of being infected with Echinococcus multilocularis as Norway was considered E. multilocularis free at the time. There was also no ante-mortem diagnostic test available although a novel serological test is being developed (Gottstein et al. 2014). Haematology and biochemistry results were within normal reference range for Eurasian beavers (Girling et al. Pers. Comm).

This phase of the report has also been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal (Goodman et al. 2012).

2.2 Release of animals into the wild

In May 2009 three families (eleven individuals) were released to three separate lochs within the Knapdale trial site (see Appendix A family tree). This was followed by the release of five additional animals in 2010. Animals were assessed visually prior to release for normal breathing rhythm and pattern, body condition and demeanour. Only animals deemed fit were released into the wild. The number of people at the release site was limited and beaver individuals were observed visually post-release.

The release of one pair was postponed as the male had pulp exposure of the upper right incisor and inflammation of the upper lip. On a follow up clinical examination one month later the incisors were deemed to have grown back to normal and the pair was released. Page 7 of 20

Two animals died shortly after release. A male (Biffa’s brother) in 2009 died 24 hours after release with lung, liver and kidney congestion suggestive of sub-acute circulatory failure, but with no evidence of infection or degenerative disease. The second, an adult male (Tallak) died in 2010 several weeks post release in poor body condition, most likely due to a failure to adapt to his new environment. Autolysis of the carcass prohibited histological and microbiological examination to determine any other underlying contributing factors to his death.

2.3 Post-release health monitoring

2.3.1 Health assessment Health surveillance by field workers consisted of annual trapping of individual animals and regular observations of body condition and behaviour. The trapping methodology is described in the report to SNH detailing the initial beaver monitoring protocols (Campbell et al. 2010). The aim was to trap all individual animals at least once a year, although this was not always possible. Ideally each trapped animal was to be weighed, various body measurements (e.g. tail thickness parameters) taken and biological samples collected. Samples included faeces to repeat enteric pathogen screens and parasite screens. If a veterinarian was present a blood sample was obtained for Leptospira serology, haematology and biochemistry.

Appendix C summarises the health screen results per individual animal.

No bacterial enteric pathogens were isolated in any of the submitted faecal samples. In ten animals beaver fluke (Stichorchis subtriquetrus) was identified. One kit was positive for Cryptosporidium oocytes on a faecal sample obtained at post-mortem. No other individuals were positive for Cryptosporidium or Giardia spp.

Blood samples could only be collected when a veterinarian was present (Fig. 2.), therefore fewer data were obtained for individual blood profiles (Leptospira serology, haematology and biochemistry). Of the samples that were obtained, two individuals were seropositive for Leptospira spp.. Katrina (L. copenhageni,.L javanica) and Frank (L. canicola, L. copenhageni, L. ictero, L. ballum, L. javanica). The most common serum biochemistry finding was raised creatinine kinase (CK) in 6 animals (Millie, Frank, Elaine, Logan, Trude and Christian), consistent with handling prior to sampling.

Figure 2. Blood sampling of a beaver from the ventral tail vein.

Body condition and tail thickness have previously been reported in the annual reports to SNH on beaver ecology (Harrington et al. 2014). This information has now been included in the veterinary report. Appendix B summarises animals’ body weights and tail thickness since release. The tail thickness is a standard measure of body condition in beavers (Smith et al. 1997). It is measured with callipers from four Page 8 of 20 standard points and the mean of these points is the tail thickness index (Campbell et al. 2010).

Two kits were found dead, presumably due to predation (one in 2011 and one in 2012). The autolysed cadaver of a male kit found in 2011 had multiple fractures and the loss of various tissues. The scavenged cadaver of the female kit found in 2012 was in good body condition with faeces in the rectum (from which cryptosporidium oocysts were observed but no bacterial enteric pathogens were isolated or other parasites observed).

2.3.2 Post-release removal from the trial One male adult beaver (Andreas Bjorn) was withdrawn from the trial in 2009 due to observed poor body condition. He later died in captivity and bacterial myocarditis was diagnosed on necropsy.

3. Discussion

3.1 General discussion Beavers have been relocated and reintroduced into various European countries prior to this trial. The first known beaver reintroduction program, in 1922, was in Sweden using animals from Telemark, Norway. Since then, at least 203 translocations to distinct sites have been recorded outside the former Soviet Union (Halley, 2011).

However, veterinary input was not part of those reintroduction programmes. The Scottish Beaver Trial in comparison is unique as veterinary involvement was sought from the outset. Monitoring the course of a reintroduction is an integral part of the reintroduction design. The health of the animals partaking in the release is an important part of this process and requires veterinary input. Veterinary monitoring also forms part of the risk assessment and has helped to allay and address any public concerns regarding the potential of disease introduction to local wildlife, livestock and people. It enabled the trial to meet current IUCN Guidelines for Reintroduction and other Conservation Translocations (2013) and the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations (National Species Reintroduction Forum 2014), both of which were published after the onset of the Scottish Beaver Trial.

There is often a debate between those who prefer minimum intervention and those who prefer to allow more hands on monitoring of animals involved in reintroduction programs. A balance needs to be reached between the potential stress and injury caused by repeated trapping of animals and sub-clinical disease going undiagnosed. Mathews et al. (2006) suggest a minimum of one follow-up session post-release to allow changes in parasite and potential pathogen prevalence to be assessed. Health monitoring and sample collection in the SBT was done pre-release and attempted at least once post-release for each individual.

This trial is also a good example of the ‘One Health’ principle with the involvement and sharing of information between biologists, ecologists, veterinarians, local health department and other stakeholders. Annual Research and Monitoring Co-ordination Group (RMCG) meetings hosted by SNH allowed for dissemination of information between the different disciplines and independent monitoring partners. This allowed Page 9 of 20 direct contact and exchange of data between the veterinarians and local health authority regarding public health issues.

3.2 Results

The pre-release health monitoring results did not preclude any animal from partaking in the trial. Leptospirosis is a common bacterium carried by rodents which is reflected in the results. Seven individuals are seropositive for Leptospira spp. All the serovars tested are already present in the UK.

Stichorchis subtriquetrus, also known as the beaver fluke, was identified in most individuals. This is a similar finding to a study in Sweden looking at parasites in beaver cadavers from hunters where all beavers examined had beaver fluke (Ahlen 2001). The animals were not treated for this parasite as it is not deemed pathogenic under normal circumstances and the fluke is specific to beavers (Goodman et al. 2011).

Abnormalities found on physical clinical examination or observed in the field such as poor body condition and dental abnormalities may lead to postponement of release or exclusion from the trial. The release of one pair was postponed as the male had pulp exposure of the upper right incisor and inflammation of the upper lip. On a follow up clinical examination one month later the incisors were deemed to have grown back to normal and the animals released. Another beaver (Andreas Bjorn) was removed from the trial due to poor body condition (see point 2.3.2 above).

Creatine kinase (CK) is routinely included in biochemistry blood panels. It is an enzyme mainly found in heart, brain and skeletal muscle. Elevation of this enzyme is likely to be due to release from muscles during the capture procedure as result of physical activity.

Post-mortem examination of cadavers pre- and post-release is an important part of the health monitoring programme. This should be done by a specialist veterinary pathologist as was done in this trial. No common cause of death could be determined in contrast to a Dutch translocation programme where infectious disease was a significant cause of death (Nolet et al. 1995).

For ease of comparison, weights and tail thickness presented in Appendix B are in a similar style to the Scottish Beaver Trial fourth Beaver Ecology annual report (Harrington et al. 2014). There is no additional data for most individuals since this report. Trude had lost 3 kilograms when weighed in January 2014 which could be a reflection of the time of year. All adult beaver weights are within the expected body weight range for Norwegian beavers. Mean spring (March-May) weight of adults in Norway (3 years or older) average 19.7kg for females and 17.8kg for males (Parker et al. unpublished). There is no body weight data for the kits born in Knapdale apart from Barney, Woody and Logan. Woody had only gained a little weight during her first year (2012) and had a heavy beaver beetle (Platypsyllus castoris) infestation at the time. All beavers were examined for adult beaver beetles prior to release and during routine annual checks after release. No beaver beetles had been observed on any beaver at the time of their first release (Duff et al. 2013).

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4. Health monitoring beyond the trial period

Systems should be put in place to ensure that long-term health monitoring of the Knapdale beaver populations continues. Post mortem examination of any euthanased beavers or beavers found dead should continue, to determine cause of death and any concurrent disease or pathogen burdens. Opportunistic health surveillance should also occur if beavers are caught for any other reason. The list of diagnostic tests should ideally include faecal bacteriology and parasitology, serology for Leptospira spp and blood biochemistry and full blood counts. This will allow long- term monitoring of their health status and pathogen burdens, and provide information on any impact this may have on sympatric wildlife.

5. Future release of beavers to the wild

Similar veterinary monitoring as outlined in this report should apply to future introduced animals. This includes screening for the list of disease outlined in section 2.1.2 above. The period wild-caught animals are held in captivity should be kept to a minimum. A month will allow for processing of samples for pathogen screening and assessment of the animals fitness for release. The source of the animals will also have an impact on the veterinary monitoring and risk assessment. There are some diseases such as Rabies and Echinococcus multilocularis for which no recognised antemortem diagnostic tests exists. Sourcing animals from areas that are recognised as free of these diseases, such as Norway, help in reducing the risk of disease introduction.

5.1 Key points  Any further reintroduction of these or other animal species to Scotland should involve specialist wildlife veterinarians alongside other professionals from the outset.  Beavers selected for reintroduction should be subject to a health assessment and pathogen screening.  Health monitoring should be done prior to release and at least once post release.  Beavers come with a host of endogenous parasites and if they do not affect the individual or pose a risk to other hosts may be left untreated.  The period in captivity or quarantine should be kept to a minimum for animal welfare.  The source of the animal should be taken into consideration as part of the disease risk assessment.

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6. References

AHLEN, P. A. 2001. The parasitic and commensal fauna of European beaver (Castor fiber) in Sweden. Thesis in forestry, ecology and management. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department for Forestry, Ecology and Management, Uppsala, Sweden.

CAMPBELL R., R. FEBER, D. MACDONALD, M. GAYWOOD, D. BATTY 2010. The Scottish Beaver trial: Ecological monitoring of the European Beaver Castor fiber and other riparian mammals – Initial methodological protocols 2009. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report no. 383.

DUFF A., R. CAMPBELL-PALMER, R. NEEDHAM. 2013. The beaver beetle Platypsyllus Castoris Ritsema (Leiodidae: Platypsyllinae) apparently established on reintroduced beavers in Scotland, new to Britain. The Coleopterist 22: 9-19.

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (DEFRA). Notifiable diseases. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Animal health. http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/disease-control/notifiable/ Accessed September 2014.

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (DEFRA). Imports/Exports Animals and Animal products. http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-trade/imports-non-eu/iins/live-animals/iins-other-animals- balai/iin-bllv-5/ Accessed September 2014.

GOODMAN, G., R. CAMPBELL-PALMER, A. MEREDITH. 2011. To treat or not to treat parasites in conservation projects Stichorchis subtriquetrus in Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) as an example of host- parasite reintroduction. Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Wildlife Fauna 247.

GOODMAN, G., S. GIRLING, R. PIZZI, A. MEREDITH, F. ROSELL, R. CAMPBELL-PALMER. 2012. Establishment of a health surveillance program for reintroduction of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) into Scotland. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 48 (4) 971-978.

GOTTSTEIN, B., C. FREY, R. CAMPBELL-PALMER, R. PIZZI, A. BARLOW, B. HENTRICH, A. POSAUTZ, M. RYSER-DEGIORGIS. 2014. Immunoblotting for serodiagnosis of alveolar echinoccocus in alaive and dead Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber). Veterinary parasitology 205: 113-118.

HALLEY, D.J. 2011. Sourcing Eurasian beaver Castor fiber stock for reintroductions in Great Britain and Western Europe. Mammal Review 41: 40–53.

HARRINGTON, L., R. FEBER, D. MACDONALD. 2014. The Scottish Beaver trial: Ecological monitoring of the European Beaver Castor fiber and other riparian mammals – Fourth Annual Report 2013. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report no. 763.

IUCN Guidelines for Reintroduction and other Conservation translocations (2013) HTTPS://PORTALS.IUCN.ORG/LIBRARY/SITES/LIBRARY/FILES/DOCUMENTS/2013-009.PDF

MATHEWS, F., D. MORO, R. STRACHAN, M. GELLING, AND N. BULLER. 2006. Health surveillance in wildlife reintroductions. Biological Conservation 131: 338-347.

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NOLET, B.A., S. BROEKHUIZEN, G.M. DORRESTEIN, AND K.M. RIENKS. 1997. Infectious disease as main cause of mortality to beavers Castor fiber after translocation to the Netherlands. Journal of Zoology 241: 35-42.

One Health http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/ Accessed September 2014. http://www.onehealthglobal.net/ Accessed September 2014

PARKER, H., A. ZEDROSSER, F. ROSELL. Life-history traits and correlates of reproduction in Eurasian beaver Castor fiber. UNPUBLISHED

SMITH, D., S. JENKINS. 1997. Seasonal change in body mass and size of tail of northern beavers. Journal of Mammalogy 78: 869-876.

Scottish Beaver Trial (In Press) The Scottish Beaver Trial: the story of the first licensed release of beavers into the wild in the UK. Final Report (November 2008 – June 2014) Scottish Wildlife Trust and Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

National Species Reintroduction Forum (2014). The Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations. www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/reintroducing-native- species/scct/ Accessed September 2014.

WOODFORD, M.H. 2000. Quarantine and Health Screening Protocols for Wildlife prior to Translocation and Release into the Wild. Published jointly by the IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, OIE, Paris, France, Care for the Wild, U.K., and EAWV.

Acknowledgements The author wishes to thank her colleague Professor Anna Meredith at the R(D)SVS, Karen Taylor (SNH), the veterinary team at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and especially Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Scottish Beaver Trial field operations manager (RZSS).

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Appendix A

Scottish Beaver Trial Family Tree – May 2014 (with kind permission from the Scottish Beaver Trial)

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Appendix B Weight trends of selected individuals over the trial period. Time interval will vary and is dependent on trapping success. There was no evidence of a decreasing tail thickness index in any of the beavers that had survived 6 months or more post release (Harrington et al. 2014). Body weight (a) and Tail thickness index (b) are plotted against time since release to Knapdale.

Frid Frid

25 3

20 2.5 15 2

10 1.5 Weight Weight (kg) 5 1 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60

Months post-release Months post-release Tail Tail thicknessindex (cm)

Frank Frank

25 3

20 2.5 15 2

10 1.5 Weight Weight (kg) 5 1 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60

Months post-release Months post-release Tail Tail thicknessindex (cm)

Katrina Katrina

3 25

20 2.5

15 2

Weight Weight (kg) 10 1.5 5 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 Tail thicknessindex (cm) 1 Months post-release 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 Months post-release

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Millie Millie

25 3

20 2.5 15 2

Weight Weight (kg) 10 1.5 5 1 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 Months post-release Tail thicknessindex (cm) Months post-release

3 Trude Trude

25 2.5

20 2 15

10 1.5 Weight Weight (kg)

5 Tail thicknessindex (cm) 1 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 Months post-release Months post-release

Eoghann Eoghann

25 3

20 2.5 15 2

10 1.5 Weight Weight (kg) 5 1

0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 Tail thickness Index(cm) 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 Months post-release Months post-release

Elaine Elaine

25 3

20 2 15 1

10 Weight Weight (kg) 5 0

0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 Tail thicknessindex (cm) 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 Months post-release Months post-release

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Christian Christian

25 3

20 2.5 15 2

10 1.5 Weight Weight (kg) 5 1 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60

Months post-release Months post-release Tail Tail thicknessindex (cm)

a) b)

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Appendix C Health screen results of beavers released in to Knapdale 2008-2014. The results are split into four tables according to the original release site. The number of results reported per diagnostic test and the frequency of sampling post release varies. This is due to several factors: Animals may have been reported missing or died. Trapping success varied between individual animals. Veterinarians were not always present and a blood sample for serology (Leptospirosis) could only be taken by a vet.

Table 1: Loch Linne Animal Pre/Post Date Yersinia Yersinia Tularaemia Leptospirosis Microbiology Parasitology ID Release enterocolitica pseudotuberculosis Diagnostic Bacterial culture Bacterial culture or Serum Polymerase Chain Serum Microscopic Bacterial culture of Giardia - immuno- test or serum serum Reaction (PCR) or Serum Agglutination (MAT) faecal sample for assay kit Antiglobulin test Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent enteric pathogens Trematodes - (AGT) Assay (ELISA) Sedimentation technique Cryptosporidium - Microscopy with selective staining Frid Pre- Aug-08 Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative release May-09 L. canicola, Negative Insufficient for L.copenhageni analysis Post - Nov-10 Negative Negative release Jun-12 Negative Fluke ova Aug-13 Negative fluke ova Frank Pre- Aug-08 Negative Negative Negative L. saxkoebing Negative Negative release May-09 L. canicola, Negative Negative

L.copenhageni and

L.icterohaemorrhagiae Post - Jun-10 L. canicola, Negative Fluke ova release L.copenhageni,L.ballum, L. javanica and L.icterohaemorrhagiae Oct-13 L. icterohaemorrhagiae Negative Fluke ova Biffa Pre- Aug-08 Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative release May-09 L. copenhageni Negative Negative

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Biffa's Pre- Aug-08 Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Brother release May-09 L. copenhageni Negative Negative

Logan Born in Jun-12 Fluke ova and Scotland beaver beetle *Female Born in Sep-12 Negative Cryptosporidium kit born Scotland 2012

Table 2: Loch Coille Bhar Animal Pre/Post Date Yersinia Yersinia Tularaemia Leptospirosis Microbiology Parasitology ID Release enterocolitica pseudotuberculosis Diagnostic Bacterial culture Bacterial culture or Serum Polymerase Chain Serum Microscopic Bacterial culture of Giardia - immuno- test or serum serum Reaction (PCR) or Serum Agglutination (MAT) faecal sample for assay kit Antiglobulin test Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent enteric pathogens Trematodes - (AGT) Assay (ELISA) Sedimentation technique Cryptosporidium - Microscopy with selective staining Katrina Pre- Aug-08 Negative Negative Negative L. saxkoebing Negative Negative release May-09 L. canicola, Negative Strongyles

L.copenhageni,L. autumnalis, L. javanica and L.icterohaemorrhagiae Post - Apr-10 L.copenhageni and L. release javanica Bjornar Pre- Aug-08 Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative release May-09 L.copenhageni Negative Negative Millie Pre- Aug-08 Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Insufficient for release analysis May-09 L. copenhageni Negative

Post - Jul-12 Negative Fluke ova release Jul-13 Negative Negative Fluke ova Marlene Pre- Aug-08 Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative release May-09 L.canicola and Negative Negative L.copenhageni

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Table 3: Loch Chreag Mhor Animal Pre/Post Date Yersinia Yersinia Tularaemia Leptospirosis Microbiology Parasitology ID Release enterocolitica pseudotuberculosis Diagnostic Bacterial culture Bacterial culture or Serum Polymerase Chain Serum Microscopic Bacterial culture of Giardia - immuno- test or serum serum Reaction (PCR) or Serum Agglutination (MAT) faecal sample for assay kit Antiglobulin test Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent enteric pathogens Trematodes - (AGT) Assay (ELISA) Sedimentation technique Cryptosporidium - Microscopy with selective staining Gunna Pre- Mar-09 Negative Negative Negative Negative Strongyloides Rita release Andreas Pre- Mar-09 Negative Negative Negative Negative Strongyloides Bjorn release Mary Pre- Mar-09 Negative Negative Negative Negative Strongyloides Lou release

Table 4: Un-named Lochan southeast of Loch Buic Animal Pre/Post Date Yersinia Yersinia Tularaemia Leptospirosis Microbiology Parasitology ID Release enterocolitica pseudotuberculosis Diagnostic Bacterial culture Bacterial culture or Serum Polymerase Chain Serum Microscopic Bacterial culture of Giardia - immuno- test or serum serum Reaction (PCR) or Serum Agglutination (MAT) faecal sample for assay kit Antiglobulin test Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent enteric pathogens Trematodes - (AGT) Assay (ELISA) Sedimentation technique Cryptosporidium - Microscopy with selective staining Trude Pre- Mar-09 Negative Negative Negative Negative Strongyloides release Feb-10 Negative Negative Fluke ova

present

Post - Jul-13 Negative Negative Fluke ova release present Jan-14 Negative Negative Woody Born in Oct-12 Negative Negative fluke ova Scotland present May-13 Negative Negative fluke ova present Tallak Pre- Mar-09 Negative Negative Negative Negative release Feb-10 Negative Negative Fluke ova

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present Christian Pre- Sep-10 Negative Negative Negative Negative Fluke ova and release nematodes present Post - Dec-10 Negative release May-13 Negative Negative fluke ova Sep-13 Negative Negative Fluke ova present

Table 5: Loch Chreag Mhor Animal Pre/Post Date Yersinia Yersinia Tularaemia Leptospirosis Microbiology Parasitology ID Release enterocolitica pseudotuberculosis Diagnostic Bacterial culture Bacterial culture or Serum Polymerase Chain Serum Microscopic Bacterial culture of Giardia - immuno- test or serum serum Reaction (PCR) or Serum Agglutination (MAT) faecal sample for assay kit Antiglobulin test Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent enteric pathogens Trematodes - (AGT) Assay (ELISA) Sedimentation technique Cryptosporidium - Microscopy with selective staining Elaine Pre- Apr-09 Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Fluke ova and release Travassosius rufus present Post - Sep-12 Negative Negative Fluke ova release present Eoghann Pre- Apr-09 Negative Negative Negative Negative Fluke ova and release Travassosius rufus present May-09 Negative Negative Negative Negative Strongyle type eggs and fluke ova