The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) today (Thursday 19 May 2005) revealed that celebrity supporters including Ranger’s manager Alex McLeish, actor Richard Wilson, wildlife broadcaster Chris Packham, and singer and actress Barbara Dickson are backing the campaign to bring back the beaver to Scotland. The announce comes as a full debate on the beaver trial re-introduction gets underway later today in the Scottish Parliament where Lewis MacDonald, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development will have to spell out his intentions for the project.

Quoted in a letter in sent to Simon Milne, SWT’s chief executive, Alex McLeish gave the campaign his full support. He said "As there have been successful re-introductions of this wonderful animal in 23 European countries since the 1920’s, it seems only right that Britain should become part of this success story."

On 8 February 2005, the government’s own conservation advisory body, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), wrote to the Scottish Executive recommending approval for a scientific trial re-introduction at Knapdale Wildlife Reserve in mid Argyll. Three months on, a decision is still pending. As SWT’s Simon Milne said: "The Scottish Wildlife Trust is disappointed that little progress appears to have been made. Extensive supporting research has been provided to Ministers and many other countries have already successfully undertaken actual re-introductions. Despite the first application for the licence being made in 2002, we await a decision. What is the problem?"

While public and cross-party support is growing, Lewis MacDonald chose to be non committal in his response to a recent parliamentary question, stating "we will reach a decision when we have had the opportunity fully to consider the facts of the case." Yet leading conservationist and broadcaster Chris Packham, is adamant that this trial should go ahead: "Scotland is one of the last European countries to attempt to bring the beaver back. Look at the evidence and you will see there is a strong case for this trial to go ahead. Successful re-introductions have already been undertaken involving other species such as red kites and I see no reason why this one should be any different. We should encourage the investigation of localised re-introductions of native species that would benefit the biodiversity mix as a whole."

Alongside support from other non-government organisations such as RSPB Scotland, BTCV National Trust for Scotland, WWF Scotland, John Muir Trust, Scottish Native Woods, The Scottish Beaver Network and Scottish Raptor Studies Group, SEPA (the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency), the statutory body, has also endorsed the trial. Further encouragement has been received from tourism bodies such as the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) along with VisitScotland. Neil Black, product development manager at VisitScotland said this is an opportunity to improve Scotland’s wildlife tourism product. "VisitScotland recognises that the re-introduction of the European beaver for a trial period at the Knapdale Wildlife Reserve in mid Argyll would add considerably to our already rich and diverse wildlife resource. Recent re-introductions like the red kite and sea eagle have provided both an enhanced visitor experience and locally based economic development opportunities - key elements in the delivery of sustainable tourism."

Richard Wilson, well known for his portrayal of Victor Mildrew in BBC’s successful sitcom One Foot in the Grave, can’t believe that the Scottish Parliament has still to commit to the trial, he writes, "It seems a wonderful idea to restore a wonderful animal back to our country. I wish SWT every success with the project."

As Simon Milne concludes, although the support received so far has been encouraging, it is now time to push the government into making a long overdue decision. "The Scottish Wildlife Trust would like to thank those that have already pledged their support to the campaign but would urge those who back the return of the beaver to write to their constituent MSPs now. This is their chance to have an impact on Scotland’s natural heritage through positive environmental action."

Further information:

• Scottish Wildlife Trust 'Back the Beaver' Campaign