Main content
The return of the beaver
Why beavers were officially reintroduced to the UK 400 years after they were wiped out.
In 2009, beavers were released into the wild in the Knapdale forest on the west coast of Scotland, some 400 years after they were wiped out in the UK. The Scottish Beaver Trial was the first official beaver re-introduction programme in the UK and was considered a landmark conservation project. The beaver is seen as a keystone species which can help shape and restore the environment. Alex Last spoke to Simon Jones, who was then the project manager of the Scottish Beaver Trial.
Photo: A beaver in Knapdale in 2011 © Steve Gardner (courtesy of the Scottish Wildlife Trust)
Last on
Sat 12 Dec 202003:50GMT
BBC World Service except Australasia
More episodes
Previous
Next
Broadcasts
- Fri 11 Dec 202008:50GMTBBC World Service
- Fri 11 Dec 202012:50GMTBBC World Service
- Fri 11 Dec 202018:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Fri 11 Dec 202023:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Sat 12 Dec 202003:50GMTBBC World Service except Australasia
Podcast
![]()
Witness History
The story of our times, told by the people who were there
