Another 35 beavers were moved to new homes in Scotland during 2025/26, with families released at several Highland locations as the country’s population continues to expand.
NatureScot’s latest Beaver Management Report shows animals were moved to the Cairngorms National Park, Glen Affric and Abriachan Forest in the Beauly catchment, alongside releases elsewhere in Scotland.
The annual report covers the period from April 2025 until March 2026 and provides the latest picture of how Scotland is managing its growing beaver population.
A total of 84 beavers were removed under licence from 22 sites where their activity had the potential to cause serious impacts.
Most were trapped rather than killed, with 62 animals, representing 74% of the total, removed largely from prime agricultural land.
Of those animals, 35 were released at suitable locations in Scotland, including families moved to the Cairngorms National Park, Forestry and Land Scotland land at Glen Affric and Tay Forest Park, and Abriachan Forest.
Another 24 beavers were transferred to licensed projects in England and Wales.
A further 22 beavers were killed under licence during the year, compared with 23 in the previous year and significantly fewer than in earlier periods when lethal control was more widely used.
NatureScot says the reduction reflects continued trapping and relocation work carried out by the Beaver Trust and Five Sisters Zoo with its financial support.
The approach also depends on land managers being willing to consider alternatives to lethal control and suitable landowners being prepared to provide new homes for the animals.
NatureScot’s Beaver Mitigation Scheme dealt with 107 cases during the year, providing advice and practical support where beaver activity was creating difficulties.
Measures can include installing devices to control water levels behind dams and protecting vulnerable trees and culverts.
Dr Jenny Bryce, NatureScot’s beaver team manager, said:
“Beavers create habitats such as ponds and wetlands where other species thrive, as well as moderating water flows in times of flood and water scarcity.
“Beaver wetlands can also act as natural fire breaks and refuges for wildlife, as well as improving water quality.
“In doing so, they play an important role in helping to restore biodiversity and respond to the climate emergency in Scotland.
“We’re pleased to see more of these ecosystem engineers moved to suitable areas this year.
“We expect the survey of beaver populations in the Tay and surrounding catchments will confirm there continues to be a healthy and expanding beaver population across Scotland.
“We know that beavers can occasionally cause issues, and as the population continues to spread, our Beaver Mitigation Scheme will continue to be available to help land managers as we learn to live with beavers in our rivers, lochs and wetlands.”
A new survey of beavers in the Tay and surrounding catchments is expected later this year and NatureScot believes it will show the animals continuing to expand their range.
For the Highlands, that expansion is already becoming increasingly visible, with more beaver families establishing new homes in some of the region’s forests, rivers and wetlands.
The Scottish Beaver Advisory Group information pack is available by clicking here
