Beaver family released into the wild in Scotland

A family of four beavers has been released at a nature reserve in the Scottish Highlands.

The release took place last week at a freshwater loch called Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin, which is in the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve.

The beaver family is the third out of four groups to be released there. Before them, a pair of beavers and a family of five were introduced to the same area last October.

Beavers were extinct in Scotland 400 years ago, but in 2009 they started being brought back to parts of the country.

Alan McDonnell, who was involved in the project, said: "The return of beavers to Glen Affric is a wildlife success story four centuries in the making."

He also added that the animals could help tackle "nature and climate emergencies".

According to experts, the wetlands created by beavers can have a positive impact on other wildlife.

They can create new homes for other animals, purify water and even help protect against floods.

In 2016, the Scottish government announced that beavers would be allowed to stay in Scotland.

They've also been protected by law there since 2019, which means people aren't allowed to harm them, capture them or destroy the places where they live and breed.