Beavers in Scotland were once extinct.
The cute riverbank animals were once found throughout Scotland, up until the 16th century. Beavers became extinct in the 16th century in Scotland due to being persecuted by humans; Beavers were persecuted in Scotland for their fur and oil found within their tails.
In May 2009, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, reintroduced Beavers into Scotland.
This was the first time in 400 years that Beavers were in Scotland.
In 2016, the Scottish government granted Beavers protected species status. However, in reality, the Scottish government hasn't been protecting this species.
Before we get to that, let's look at what a protected species is.
What Is A Protected Species?
A protected species is defined by the following, it is:
In other words, protected species are protected to save them from being killed; protected species also have their habitats or nesting sites protected from being destroyed.
In short, you can't harm protected species, nor their habitat.
The Scottish Beaver, Not Really Protected
Therefore, the Scottish Beaver isn't really being protected, as they are being shot and killed in Scotland - for Beavers to be shot and killed means that they are being destroyed and it is causing them harm. This is being done through the consent of the Scottish government, who are granting licenses for Beavers to be shot and killed, all of this when Beavers are endangered.
Under licenses granted by the Scottish government in 2019, 100 endangered Beavers were shot and killed. This is another persecuation of these wonderful animals.
We can't reintroduce once extinct animals into the countryside if they are being shot and killed.
These beautiful animals don't stand a chance of being reintroduced into the Scottish countryside if they are being shot and killed; shooting these animals is the opposite of protecting them.
But it doesn't have to be this way...
How Can You Help Beavers?
You can help Beavers in Scotland and make sure they are really protected.
Not that long ago, Beavers were listed in the Mammal Society Red List of mammals, it is a list which lists the conservation status of all of Britain's native wild mammals. In it, the Beavers conservation status is that of an endangered species.
Therefore, Beavers are one of Britain's most endangered species today.
By rewildling Britain, we can make species that are endangered more common and wildspread again. To do this, we need to ensure that endangered species aren't being killed, and we need to ensure that the habitats of endangered species are being preserved and restored, rather than being destroyed. This is the way that we can help rewild Britain once again.
You can help Beavers in Scotland by signing this petition, which has been started by Trees For Life. The petition is asking the Scottish government to relocate the Beavers to other areas, instead of shooting them. You can find the Beaver petition - here.
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