The introduction of non-native animals to Tayside’s waterways may cost “significant sums” to rectify, it has been claimed.
A colony of beavers on an Angus tributary has caused controversy as conservationists squabble over the wisdom of allowing the introduction of wildlife without prior study.
The Dean Water, which runs from Forfar Loch into the River Isla near Meigle, has seen a variety of European beavers originally thought to be Bavarian but quite difficult to see make their home next to the A90. They have chewed through a significant number of trees by the roadside and nearby residents told The Courier they fear a second “mink menace”.
Scottish Gamekeepers Association chairman Alex Hogg said a confusing message was being sent by allowing the beavers to remain.
He added: “The last thing the Scottish people or Government can afford is having to use significant sums of public money down the line to deal with problems that a reintroduction may cause.”
A local land worker, who asked not to be named, said dams and lodges built by beavers interfere with the movements and breeding of migratory fish such as salmon, and the viability of ground-nesting birds like the curlew.
Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse decided last year to allow beavers in Tayside to remain in the wild until the decision on reintroduction in 2015.
The Tayside Beaver Study Group, headed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), was set up to study the Tayside population and not to remove them or reduce their number.
An SNH spokeswoman said: “We’re aware there is significant food storage in this area, but we’re not aware of dam building. We’re monitoring this.”