Beavers Reintroduced to Scottish Highlands in Landmark Conservation Effort

On October 24, 2025, a significant conservation milestone was reached in the Scottish Highlands as beavers were reintroduced to the Glen Affric national nature reserve. This marks a historic moment for the species, which was driven to extinction in Scotland around 400 years ago.

The reintroduction, which was granted a license by NatureScot in August 2025, involved the release of four family groups of beavers to the waters above the Beinn a Mheadhoin dam. The first two releases, a pair and a family of five, took place on the same day as the initial reintroduction.

The project, a collaboration between Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and the conservation organization Trees for Life, has been in the works for several years. It follows an extensive consultation process with local communities and land managers to ensure a smooth and well-planned reintroduction.

Experts have praised the move, noting that beavers are a vital habitat-creating, biodiversity-boosting, and flood-preventing species. The reintroduction is expected to have a positive impact on the local ecosystem, with the beavers' ability to create wetlands, purify water, and reduce flooding.

While the reintroduction has been widely celebrated, FLS has acknowledged that there may be some localized issues that need to be addressed. To this end, the organization has established a group to oversee ongoing monitoring and management decisions in the months and years to come.