An estimated 1500 beavers are now roaming the Scottish countryside, according to wildlife experts.

Hazel Forrest of the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) said the explosion in numbers would help tackle the climate and nature crises, with the dam-building animals making the nation more resilient to floods and droughts. But it comes amid longstanding anger from farmers over the illegal release of beavers into Tayside nearly 20 years ago which they say wrecked and flooded farmland, costing millions in damages.

Writing in the SWT’s blog, policy adviser for species Forrest said: “Beavers are well and truly back in the wild in Scotland. Following the success of the Scottish Beaver Trial (2009-2014), in which the Scottish Wildlife Trust was a lead partner, both the Knapdale beavers and the (originally unauthorised) population of beavers in Tayside were given leave to remain and allowed to expand their range naturally.