The European beaver is to be reintroduced to the wild in Britain, five centuries after it was hunted to extinction for its fur.

Up to four beaver families will be captured in Norway later this year and released in Knapdale, Argyll, next spring. The trial, run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, was approved by Mike Russell, the Scottish environment minister. “I am delighted that this wonderful species will be making a comeback,” 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 with positive ecological benefits, he added.

“I very much hope to see them flourish in the woods of Knapdale and lay the foundation for a wider reintroduction in other parts of Scotland,” Mr Russell added.

Professor Colin Galbraith, Director of Policy and Advice for SNH today welcomed the decision.

“For the first time we will have the opportunity to see how beavers fit into the Scottish countryside in a planned and managed trial,” he said.

“No other beaver reintroduction project in Europe has gone through such a long, and thorough, process of preparation, assessment and examination.”

Although beavers have been spotted in the wild in isolated cases in the UK, they have usually been caught and returned to zoos, Professor Galbraith added.

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