Scottish beavers shot?

[larachmor]

There are fears that one of the beavers recently released in the Knapdale Forest, Argyll, may have been shot. An adult female went missing in June, and this is said to have coincided with the sound of gunshots in the area.
The beavers are radio-tagged and efforts are being made to account for the remained of the 11 that were released. One juvenile is known to have died shortly after release (cause of death subject to post mortem) and two others are also missing.

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West | Gunshot riddle as beaver vanishes

[big bill]

Just been listening to this article on the news ,I think its totally disgusting ,seeming gunshots had been heard and they found the dead beaver and like you said 2 are missing .
No doubt either farmers or game keepers just no justification for it at all makes you sick

[Jonathan]

I was in the Knapdale area at the begining of July and spoke to several people who believed three beavers had wandered into the Crinan Canal (unsurprising, as many of the burns heading out of the three lochs utilised flow into the canal. This was mentioned at the time of release I believe but seemed to fall on deaf ears). No mention was made of any beavers being shot whilst I was in Mid-Argyll.

We walked along the footpath not far from the shore of Loch Coille-Bharr (the most accessible of the lochs utilised) and saw many signs of beaver activity.

As for there being gunshots reported in the area, I presume they checked with the FC ranger for Knapdale whether he was out shooting at the time? And with the landowners on nearby Moine Mhor who also control deer numbers?

I'm fully in support of the release scheme, but making accusations before there's any real proof that any beavers have been shot is somewhat counter-productive in my opinion. There's enough opposition to the scheme in the area without fueling it with unsubstantiated rumours.

Cheers
Jonathan

[earthdragon64]

Originally Posted by Jonathan

As for there being gunshots reported in the area, I presume they checked with the FC ranger for Knapdale whether he was out shooting at the time? And with the landowners on nearby Moine Mhor who also control deer numbers?

According to the Scottish Beaver website, the shooting in the area was unauthorised, so presumably legitimate reasons for shooting in the area were checked out at the time, although the police are investigating further. Obviously without a corpse, bullet riddled or not, it can't be said for certain that the Beaver is dead, she may have decided to move to a different area and just hasn't been seen.

The following website has the latest news about the Beavers, Scottish Beaver Trial Update - Scottish Beaver Trial

[Jim Ford]

There weren't any junior members of the Royal Family or their mates in the vicinity, were there?

Jim

[larachmor]

Originally Posted by Jonathan

I was in the Knapdale area at the begining of July and spoke to several people who believed three beavers had wandered into the Crinan Canal (unsurprising, as many of the burns heading out of the three lochs utilised flow into the canal. This was mentioned at the time of release I believe but seemed to fall on deaf ears). No mention was made of any beavers being shot whilst I was in Mid-Argyll.

We walked along the footpath not far from the shore of Loch Coille-Bharr (the most accessible of the lochs utilised) and saw many signs of beaver activity.

As for there being gunshots reported in the area, I presume they checked with the FC ranger for Knapdale whether he was out shooting at the time? And with the landowners on nearby Moine Mhor who also control deer numbers?

I'm fully in support of the release scheme, but making accusations before there's any real proof that any beavers have been shot is somewhat counter-productive in my opinion. There's enough opposition to the scheme in the area without fueling it with unsubstantiated rumours.

Cheers
Jonathan

I feel that if a member of the Beaver release scheme states the following ....

"We are obviously concerned that there could to be a link between her disappearance and the unauthorised shooting and the local police have been informed"

... it tends to suggest that though unconfirmed, it's a little more than "unsubstantiated rumours." If they know more then, having reported it to the police they are not likely to make such facts public.

[Jenny W]

If this is indeed what has happened then a truely sad and disgusting incident. However, I'm afraid this is what I fear will continue to happen with any re-introductions of 'large mammals' that may be attempted in the future in the UK.

[Beekeeper]

I agree Jenny, maybe there were good reasons for their demise in the first place so reintroduction will in all probability fail.

BK

[ron1863]

I would await the results of the police investigation as it may not be farmers or gamekeepers but an idiot looking for a trophy, or as Jonathan says, they may just have escaped.

[Dogghound]

This sort of thing doesnt surprise me, things will never change.