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The European beaver A news story on the BBC website yesterday has yet again offered up an excellent idea for a short story. Did you know there are plans to release European beavers in Scotland? The rodent was hunted to extinction in the UK more than 400 years ago but now the Scottish Government has agreed to a trial reintroduction. Environment Minister Michael Russell has given the go-ahead for up to four beaver families to be released in Argyll. Mr Russell said: "This is an exciting development for wildlife enthusiasts all over Scotland and beyond. The beaver was hunted to extinction in this country in the 16th Century and I am delighted that this wonderful species will be making a comeback. They are charismatic, resourceful little mammals." What's more a link on the site to an older story informs me that at the moment it is illegal to release them but someone has already been doing so. What an interesting idea for a character. The BBC says there has been evidence of gnawed trees and last year an illegal beaver was caught in Perthshire. (The punishment for the crime is up to two years in jail or a £40,000 fine.) So I could have a policeman on the releaser's trail. The article quotes from PC Douglas Ogilvie who is convinced the beavers have been deliberately released, rather than escaped from a collection. He says: "If they've escaped they've come a long way. There are lots of people out there who'd love to see beavers in the wild, but they have to be released under certain conditions." So it would seem the force are on the case in real life. Then there's the beavers themselves, trying to set up home in new surroundings. The animals will be captured in Norway, put into quarantine for six months before three to four families are released next Spring at a loch at Knapdale Wildlife Reserve. My imagination is kicking in, I can't wait to get started.