ABOUT one-fifth of Scotland’s beavers were killed under licence last year, prompting anger from conservationists. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) figures show 87 beavers were killed in 2019, while 15 were trapped alive and released.
Beavers are found in Knapdale in Argyll, Tayside and the Forth. The former population began under a licensed trial in 2009. Escaped or illegally released animals were first recorded in Tayside around 2006.
Beavers were given protected status in May 2009, but licences to kill or remove them are issued to prevent damage to farmers’ land.
Scottish Wildlife Trust director of conservation Sarah Robinson said lethal control “must always be a last resort”.
Scottish Greens environment spokesman Mark Ruskell said: “These are shocking figures from an agency whose primary duty is to protect Scotland’s wildlife.”
SNH director of sustainable growth Robbie Kernahan said: “It’s always been clear to us and our partners that lethal control will sometimes be necessary as a last resort. Some of the well-documented and most serious issues have occurred on the most productive areas of agricultural land in Scotland.”
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