Wild beaver numbers surge to 1,000 across Scotland’s southern Highlands

NatureScot hails conservation success but draws criticism after revealing 115 animals were killed under licence

Wild beavers have colonised lochs and rivers across the southern Highlands of Scotland after a sharp surge in their numbers.

A survey by NatureScot, the government conservation agency, estimates 1,000 beavers now live in the wild, reaching rivers north of Dundee in the east, westwards to Crianlarich, north of Loch Lomond, and south to Stirling on the river Forth.