Appendix 13 – Online engagement survey comments

This document contains comments received through an online survey regarding plans to reintroduce beavers to the Cairngorms National Park. Many respondents expressed enthusiasm for the proposal, citing the potential for increased biodiversity, improved ecosystem health, flood mitigation, and enhanced tourism. They view beavers as ecosystem engineers that can create valuable wetland habitats. However, some respondents raised concerns about potential negative impacts on farming, forestry, fishing, and existing infrastructure, based on their experiences in other areas with beaver populations. These concerns include damage to crops, riverbanks, trees, and salmon spawning grounds. Some also fear that beaver populations will be difficult to control and that mitigation measures may be inadequate. The need for further consultation with local stakeholders, monitoring, and adaptive management to address potential conflicts was also voiced by several respondents.