202402-Cairn-Issue-4-06-ONLINE - Flipbook - Page 10
Nature news
Quite a catch
A river’s catchment is not
only a vital source of water
but also an important habitat
for wildlife, and the River
South Esk is no exception.
Want to see
our new neighbours?
Check out the
new Beaver Trail
at Rothiemurchus
Estate, coming
soon.
Beavers are back
The 昀椀rst beavers to be
translocated to the Cairngorms
are settling into their new
home after arriving in the
National Park in December.
A pair was released on Rothiemurchus,
with Minister Lorna Slater there to
offer a helping hand. A further pair
was released the same day on land
owned by Wildland Cairngorms
Ltd, followed by a family at the
same location in early January.
This is the 昀椀rst out of range
translocation in Scotland and sees
the return of beavers to the area for
10 cairn spring 2024
the 昀椀rst time in around 400 years.
By changing and re-naturalising
the landscape around them,
beavers can help combat climate
change and boost biodiversity.
To minimise any possible stress to the
animals, the beavers were released
with a limited number of people
present. Both the beavers and their
wider habitat will now be closely
monitored by the Park Authority’s
Beaver Of昀椀cer and ranger service.
A management and mitigation
plan is also in place to minimise
negative impacts on neighbouring
landholdings. For more information
see cairngorms.co.uk/beavers
The River South Esk Catchment
Partnership has been awarded
£1.4m from Scottish Government’s
Nature Restoration Fund, managed
by NatureScot, to enhance this
important area of the Angus Glens.
Project work begins this year including
woodland expansion, wetland
creation and river restoration at a
scale unseen before in Angus.
The partnership are holding a series of
consultation events to gather views from
residents – visit theriversouthesk.org
for more information.