First baby beavers born in 400 years in area of Scottish Highlands

Beavers have been born in Glen Affric in the Scottish Highlands for the first time in around 400 years.

At least two beaver kits, which is the name for baby beavers, have been seen at Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin.

The loch is in Glen Affric, a famous wild area known for its stunning scenery and often described as one of the 'most beautiful places in Scotland'.

The baby beavers were probably born in May or June, but people have only spotted them recently because beavers are shy and mostly come out at night.

Wildlife cameras set up by the charity Trees for Life captured pictures of the young beavers. One kit was even seen playing beside its mother.

"These beaver kits symbolise a wildlife success story four centuries in the making, and how nature can recover when we give it a chance," said Tobias Leask, Trees for Life's locally based Beaver Management Officer.

"Seeing them for the first time is something I'll never forget. It was one of those rare moments when you realise you're witnessing history."

Now a protected species, the Eurasian beaver once lived across Scotland, but they were hunted until none were left.

The animals were brought back to Scotland in 2009.

The Glen Affric beavers are part of a project run by Trees for Life and Forestry and Land Scotland. Eleven beavers were moved there from the east coast of Scotland, where they had been living on farmland.

Beavers are important because they can change the landscape in helpful ways. They build dams and create wetlands, which are soggy wild places full of life. Wetlands can help fish, birds, insects and plants. They can also clean water and slow down floods.

Beavers can occasionally cause problems too, such as flooding small areas, but the project team says they are on hand to deal with any problems quickly.

Local volunteers are also helping to watch the beavers and report how they are settling in.

"These young animals represent the first generation of beavers that will help shape Glen Affric's future - creating wetlands that support countless other species, improve water quality and build resilience to climate change. It's a wonderful milestone for everyone involved in the project," said Tobias Leask.