Recognition for Scottish Beaver Trial
A trial to reintroduce four Eurasian beaver families to a forest in Scotland has been shortlisted for an Innovation Award.
The Scottish Beaver Trial is a five-year scientific study to monitor the group of wild beavers and assess the effect their reintroduction has on the local environment.
The trial has been shortlisted from over 70 entries across eight categories to be nominated for a 2013 Nature of Scotland Award.
Simon Jones, project manager of the trial, said: "The Scottish Beaver Trial is the first licensed mammal re-introduction trial to ever take place in the UK.
"Not only are our findings hopefully paving the way for future programmes, but we are also advising on international projects."
Mr Jones added that the trial is a "pioneering" step towards further understanding species reintroduction and how it plays a role in ecosystem restoration.
The trial, launched by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the Forestry Commission Scotland in 2009, is being carried out at Knapdale Forest in the Heart of Argyll.
The winners will be announced on October 30 at the 2013 Nature of Scotland Awards ceremony, held in Edinburgh.
