Latest news with #JonathanWillet
STV News
13 hours ago
- General
- STV News
Baby beavers born at Cairngorms National Park spotted for first time
A Scottish national park has confirmed the arrival of at least five baby beavers two years after they were reintroduced to the Highlands. Cairngorms National Park confirmed five new arrivals were spotted on camera traps at two sites across the park and are hopeful there could be more at other sites. The new arrivals are said to be a 'positive step' towards the park's ambition to establish a healthy, sustainable population. Cairngorms National Park Cairngorms National Park confirmed five new arrivals were spotted on camera traps. Cairngorms National Park It comes less than two years after beavers were released at the national park, marking their return after the species was hunted to extinction in the UK. Jonathan Willet, beaver project manager at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said the kits were spotted exploring the habitat around them with their parents and splashing in the water. Cairngorms National Park Beavers were reintroduced to Cairngorms National Park two years ago. Cairngorms National Park The new arrivals join two juvenile beavers who were born at the national park in August last year. 'Kits usually stay with their family for two years before leaving the family unit to find a mate,' Mr Willet said. Cairngorms National Park The new arrivals are said to be a 'positive step towards' the park's ambition to establish a healthy, sustainable population. Cairngorms National Park 'Those born last year are now healthy juveniles, who will be ready to start exploring and finding mates of their own over the next year. It's heartening to see that this year's breeding season has also been a success.' The kits born last year marked the first time baby beavers were born in the wild in the UK for 400 years. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
13 hours ago
- General
- STV News
Baby beavers born at Cairngorm National Park spotted for first time
A Scottish national park has confirmed the arrival of at least five baby beavers two years after they were reintroduced to the Highlands. Cairngorms National Park confirmed five new arrivals were spotted on camera traps at two sites across the park and are hopeful there could be more at other sites. The new arrivals are said to be a 'positive step' towards the park's ambition to establish a healthy, sustainable population. Cairngorms National Park Cairngorms National Park confirmed five new arrivals were spotted on camera traps. Cairngorms National Park It comes less than two years after beavers were released at the national park, marking their return after the species was hunted to extinction in the UK. Jonathan Willet, beaver project manager at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said the kits were spotted exploring the habitat around them with their parents and splashing in the water. Cairngorms National Park Beavers were reintroduced to Cairngorms National Park two years ago. Cairngorms National Park The new arrivals join two juvenile beavers who were born at the national park in August last year. 'Kits usually stay with their family for two years before leaving the family unit to find a mate,' Mr Willet said. Cairngorms National Park The new arrivals are said to be a 'positive step towards' the park's ambition to establish a healthy, sustainable population. Cairngorms National Park 'Those born last year are now healthy juveniles, who will be ready to start exploring and finding mates of their own over the next year. It's heartening to see that this year's breeding season has also been a success.' The kits born last year marked the first time baby beavers were born in the wild in the UK for 400 years. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Independent
15 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Beaver kits born in Cairngorms National Park for second year running
Five beaver kits have been born in Cairngorms National Park for the second year in a row – after a 400-year hiatus. The kits have been captured on camera at two separate sites in the park, in the Scottish Highlands, and hopes are high more may be born on other sites. Beavers were first released into the park less than two years ago in a bid to establish a 'healthy, sustainable' population. The Upper Spey river catchment provides an ideal habitat of wetland and lochs, and it is hoped the beavers will restore the landscape, helping combat climate change and boosting biodiversity. In the autumn, a third round of beavers will be released, amid hopes other land managers may offer to have them on their land. Jonathan Willet, beaver project manager at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: 'It's so exciting to see the new kits emerging from the burrow, exploring the habitat around them with their parents and splashing in the water. 'We're hopeful that there may be even more kits at other sites, which we are monitoring closely over the next few weeks. 'Kits usually stay with their family for two years before leaving the family unit to find a mate. 'Those born last year – the first beaver kits in the Cairngorms National Park for 400 years – are now healthy juveniles who will be ready to start exploring and finding mates of their own over the next year. 'It's heartening to see that this year's breeding season has also been a success.' The Cairngorms National Park Authority has a five-year licence with NatureScot, granted in December 2023, for 15 beaver pairs to be released over half a decade. The first pair of beavers were released into Lochan Mor on Rothiemurchus in December 2023, with subsequent releases at sites owned by partners and private landowners.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Beaver kits born in Cairngorms National Park for second year running
Five beaver kits have been born in Cairngorms National Park for the second year in a row – after a 400-year hiatus. The kits have been captured on camera at two separate sites in the park, in the Scottish Highlands, and hopes are high more may be born on other sites. Beavers were first released into the park less than two years ago in a bid to establish a 'healthy, sustainable' population. The Upper Spey river catchment provides an ideal habitat of wetland and lochs, and it is hoped the beavers will restore the landscape, helping combat climate change and boosting biodiversity. In the autumn, a third round of beavers will be released, amid hopes other land managers may offer to have them on their land. Jonathan Willet, beaver project manager at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: 'It's so exciting to see the new kits emerging from the burrow, exploring the habitat around them with their parents and splashing in the water. 'We're hopeful that there may be even more kits at other sites, which we are monitoring closely over the next few weeks. 'Kits usually stay with their family for two years before leaving the family unit to find a mate. 'Those born last year – the first beaver kits in the Cairngorms National Park for 400 years – are now healthy juveniles who will be ready to start exploring and finding mates of their own over the next year. 'It's heartening to see that this year's breeding season has also been a success.' The Cairngorms National Park Authority has a five-year licence with NatureScot, granted in December 2023, for 15 beaver pairs to be released over half a decade. The first pair of beavers were released into Lochan Mor on Rothiemurchus in December 2023, with subsequent releases at sites owned by partners and private landowners.
