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After nearly 400 years of extinction, beavers are set to make an appearance in our British countryside once more.

The beaver, once hunted for its fur and medicinal oils, will be reintroduced into a forest in south-west Scotland in an attempt to reintroduce the animal to Britain.

Up to 20 will be released into the Scottish wild after being flown in from Norway this autumn and quarentined. Currently, plans are being made to reintroduce the beaver to other parts of the UK. This week plans will be unveiled to release beavers into parts of Wales.

Environment Minister Michael Russell has given the go-ahead for up to four beaver families to be released in Knapdale, Argyll, on a trial basis. He said:

“They are charismatic, resourceful little mammals and I fully expect their reappearance in Knapdale to draw tourists from around the British Isles and even further afield.

“Other parts of Europe, with a similar landscape to Scotland, have reintroduced beavers and evidence has shown that they can also have positive ecological benefits, such as creating and maintaining a habitat hospitable to other species.” (Source: Great Britain Wildlife)

Studies will also be published into the feasibility of introducing beavers into areas such as Devon, Dorset, the Thames valley, East Anglia or the Lake District.

Next month, Natural England, the government conservation agency, will publish a study on the feasibility of reintroducing beavers in areas such as Devon, Dorset, the Thames valley, East Anglia or the Lake District.

Allan Bantick, chair of the Scottish Beaver Trial Steering Group, said it was an “historic moment” for conservation. However, not evryone agrees.

Andrew Bradford, of the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association, said reintroductions in the Baltic and Bavaria had caused environmental damage: “The reality is, having reintroduced them, it will be damn difficult to stop them spreading.”  (Source: Guardian Online)