Beavers have been spotted in Tayside 400 years after they were thought to have vanished from Scotland’s landscape.
Wildlife experts believed the rodents had been hunted to extinction for their pelts, but evidence has emerged showing beavers may have been living in some parts of the country for years.
Keith Ringland, a wildlife photographer from Perth, has spent about 10 months following beavers after hearing claims they had been seen in the Tayside area.
“I began to investigate these claims and found considerable evidence of beaver populations,” he said. “They have been living in Tayside for probably a minimum of three to five years.”
Since taking up the trail, he has come across beavers living right across Tayside with sightings and signs from as far and wide as Glamis and Forfar, up to the Earn valley and even up to north Perthshire.
“From what I have seen in my field trips around Tayside, I would estimate the population of beavers within the Tayside region could be 50 to 100 animals,” he said. “All the signs point to the population breeding and thriving, whilst barely attracting any attention to their presence.”
A Scottish Natural Heritage spokesman confirmed there had been reported sightings of beavers in the Tayside area, as well as other areas of the country, but said they had probably escaped from private collections.
“We are quite frustrated that they have been able to escape,” he said. “There is an animal welfare issue because they are sociable animals, but their welfare is not being monitored.”
Mr Ringland agreed welfare was an issue, but said people need not be concerned about the presence of beavers near to their homes and farms.
He said: “Fears about beavers eating fish is completely unfounded as they are vegetarian only. Others express concern that their dams will hold up migrating fish.
“However, beaver dams usually only raise the water by one or two feet and salmon in particular would find this only a minor obstacle.”