Beavers introduced near Knapdale Forest Scotland

A trial by Scottish Natural Heritage has seen the official - one Beaver escaped prematurely from the Quarantine centre in Devon and is now living wild in the river Tamar - introduction of eleven European Beavers into the United Kingdom for the first time in over four hundred years.

The BBC reports the release of three families into Knapdale Forest in Argyll, close to the Cairnbaan Hotel.

The Beavers were first brought to the UK in November 2008 and have been held in quarantine at the Upcott Grange study Centre in Devon to ensure all risk if disease has passed.

The Beavers will be continuously tested for giardia and cryptosporidium over the next five years and if any disease is found, it will have been contracted in their new environment.

Visit the official Scottish Beaver trial website.

Image BBC.