Return of the Loch Ness… beaver! Creatures released on Highland estate 500 years after they were hunted to extinction

Six beavers have been released at Trees for Life’s Dundreggan estate near Loch Ness, where the species was hunted to extinction around 500 years ago. The reintroduction is intended to help restore habitats and support wildlife, while offering a new opportunity for visitors to learn about the animals.

The family, relocated from Tayside after causing problems for farmers, comprises a mother, two juveniles about two years old and three younger beavers. After health checks, they were released on Wednesday; the Ness Beaver Project plans to place at least 15 family groups around Loch Ness over the next three years. Beaver dams and canals can reconnect rivers and wetlands and may help landscapes cope with drought, wildfires and flooding.