FAQ: Will the beavers cause damage to farmland and the wider countryside?
Research by Scottish Natural Heritage indicates that beaver damage both in countries where they have been persecuted and those where they have been restored is generally considered to be negligible. They are not regarded as pests in Europe and where localised problems have occurred; there are a number of well established methods in use including removal of dams, overflow piping, or fencing as one does for deer and rabbits.
This is unlikely to be an issue in Knapdale given the nature of the landscape and the location of suitable beaver habitats. Some countries with sustainable beaver populations permit seasonal hunting in specified regions.
The damage caused by beaver to farmland and the wider countryside surrounding Knapdale Forest is an aspect which will be tested by Scottish Natural Heritage as part of the independent scientific monitoring programme.
