Best Practice in Beaver lethal control 1' I . Practical Dispatch W/glg?l Scottish Natural Heritage Dualchas Nadair na h-Alba nature.scot Scottish Natural Heritage Um Em 11w?it" 369.41. mm. a Alla. . 3.. . ng scenarios VVhatshoo? Targeting Family Group • • Why target whole group • Social grouping • Animals remaining may shift to new structure in same territory • Animals remaining will continue to damage • Welfare considerations in relation to sub-adults Identifying adults and sub adults Targeting Family Group g" .. 3' Scottish Natural Heritage Dualchas N?dair na h-Alba nature.scot What firearms ? Why set minimum • Relatively thick skin -need penetration before expansion • Increase chance of drop to shot What firearms? RIFLES • Centrefire rifle • Minimum bullet weight of 50 grains • Minimum muzzle velocity of 2,450ft/sec • Minimum muzzle energy of 1000 foot pounds • i.e. a rifle legal for controlling roe deer). What firearms? SHOTGUNS • Min 12 bore • AAA shot or larger at a range of no more than 20m • Non-lead shot is required on or over water Night shooting Lamping & Thermal/IR • Night Shooting Codes of Practice • At least 2 people – shooter and observer • Additional risks? Point of Aim Laurie O?Keefe Point of Aim Wg? Scottish Natural Heritage Dualchas Nadair na h-Alba nature.scot - Particular risks? - Ricochet - Over water - Stones - Public safety - Animal welfare - Species id Particular Risks – when controlling in KDP • Remove the kits first • What would reasonable effort look like ? • What techniques should be applied Retrieving - Disposal • Retrieval - Gaff/grappling hook • Possession • Animal By-Products • Dedicated SNH staff accompanying controls • Sampling a number of carcasses Record keeping – why ? • • • • • Better understanding of the population structure Population modelling Monitor health Share best practice Objective information to inform discussion o Annual returns o Notification within 7 days during kit dependency period RECORD KEEPING Beaver licence return form To be submitted by 31st December each year of licence. Email to licensing@snh.gov.uk Licence number: Farm Code: Action Date 01/09/2018 01/11/2018 01/11/2018 02/11/2018 02/11/2018 (e.g kill/remove dam/destroy burrow /lodge) Removed dams Killed animals Removed dam Destroyed lodge Killed animals For dam only activities Number (of animals, dams etc.) 2 4 1 1 3 Location (description) Little b urn Spring b urn Spring b urn Spring b urn Spring b urn 01/05/2019 Killed animals 5 Autumn b urn 01/05/2018 Destroyed b urrow 1 Autumn b urn How effective has this work been in addressing the problems you have experienced? (on a scale of 1-10, 1 being ineffective, 10 being completely successful) : If your licence is due to expire, do you require a new licence? (y/n) Additional Comments (e.g. on effectiveness; carcass retrieval etc.) Acredited controller name (if applicable) Lodge/burrow Food store present? present? (y/n) (y/n) No No Yes Yes Notes J Mackay Part of lethal control J Mackay J Mackay No dam present Record Keeping – Accredited controller Controller name Licence No Date Contact Details: Time of shot Grid ref Length Shot Scenario = age weight in flowing water in standing water on a bank on /at dam coming out of burrow coming out of lodge other Shot scenario Day/Night Type of firearm shot placement Retrieved Disposed/Kept number in group Comments Any further ques?ons? Wg? Scottish Natural Heritage Dualchas N?dair na h-Alba nature.scot Wg? Scottish Natural Heritage Dualchas N?dair na h-Alba nature.scot Wg? Scottish Natural Heritage Dualchas N?dair na h-Alba nature.scot Scottish Natural Heritage Dualchas Nadair na h-Alba nature.scot Species id – what in particular? Otter Can I see the whole body flat along the surface? Yes – Does it have protruding ears? Yes – Is it bigger (2-3 foot body length)? Yes – Is it feeding on willows or carrying large branches while swimming? Yes Likely answer: Beaver – Can I see the whole body flat in the water? No – Is it traveling very fast? Yes – Is it traveling in a group? Yes – It is catching fish, snails, salamanders or leeches? Yes Likely answer: Otter Video clips for discussion Elevated shot https://youtu.be/ R6pLNmBQYaE?t=137 https://youtu.be/ 1DnaxbuPL54?t=52 ?an r' ?if 2: . u-r? 4.. "is --. . . Scottish Natural Heritage Dualchas N?dair na h-Alba nature.scot