Missing Species of the Caledonian Forest

Beaver photo

European beaver. Photo by Laurie Campbell.

 

Beaver at Aigas

Beaver at the Aigas field centre. Photo by Laurie Campbell.

 

Beaver (Castor fiber)

The European beaver is a keystone species in terrestrial aquatic ecosystems. It became extinct in Scotland in the 16th century due to hunting for its fur and castoreum (a secretion from its scent glands), and habitat loss. Since 1920 the European beaver has been successfully reintroduced to over 13 other countries in Europe, but in 2005 the Scottish Executive rejected an application for a trial reintroduction at Knapdale in Argyll.

Pages about European Beaver on this site

External links to pages about European Beaver in the UK

Return to Missing Species of the Caledonian Forest.

 


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Published: 17 September 2006
Last updated: 26 February 2009