Latest news with #AffricHighlands
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Highland red deer tracked by GPS in behaviour study
Researchers have fitted GPS collars on red deer in the west Highlands to help track their movement and devices will be fitted on 22 stags while GPS ear tags have also been placed on six calves to help monitor them as they travel through the landscape with their mothers. The study, involving sporting estates and conservation organisations, is a partnership between the charity Affric Highlands and Durham hope their findings will help with efforts to keep deer populations healthy and sustainable and with the restoration of native habitats like woodlands. Dr Eilidh Smith from Durham University said they would be tracking and mapping red deer movements to assess their seasonal migrations and home range added that this would build knowledge of how they respond to human activities such as fencing, culling and commercial Williamson, field officer for Affric Highlands, said red deer were a vital part of Scotland's upland landscapes and rural economies – but "increased populations have led to challenges in balancing ecological health, biodiversity, and land management objectives."She said strengthening understanding of how the animals moved across estates and habitats was "key to recovering ecosystems and improving deer health."
Scotsman
26-06-2025
- Science
- Scotsman
Why deer in the Highlands are being fitted with GPS collars
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Deer will be fitted with GPS collars in Scotland in a new, joint initiative to track their movement and behaviour for management purposes. The project is part of a study between rewilding charity Affric Highlands and Durham University, and is supported by the Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It will focus on red deer in the Ross-shire area of the north west Highlands. The South Ross Deer Management Group will deploy GPS collars on 22 stags from Glen Affric to the west coast. Twelve stags have already been collared, to be followed by a further 10 this winter. Collared stag being monitored by researchers and stalkers | Siân Addison Those behind the initiative said six GPS ear tags have been deployed on deer calves to provide data on hind movements, with a plan to tag more calves next spring. The collars allow researchers to analyse where red deer prefer to be, and how they interact with the environment, including their habitat preferences during rutting, calving and foraging. Data will be stored on the collars, but also sent via satellite to EarthRanger – an app which allows deer stalkers to view deer movements and manually add their own observations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The study area includes a range of landowners with different land management practices, from sporting estates to purely conservation work. While stalkers in Scotland have been using modern technology to track deer for years, the charity said it believes the initiative is the first of its kind in the location where the study is taking place and with the multi-landowner approach. Affric Highland said so far, 18 deer stalkers from 14 sporting estates are involved, 'bringing invaluable knowledge of deer behaviour, built over decades of experience.' The charity said the new project will help future decisions and collaboration between landholdings on deer management, which has been a point of controversy between different rural groups. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Researcher Dr Eilidh Smith, from Durham University, said: 'Through this innovative research, we'll be tracking and mapping red deer movements to assess their seasonal migrations, home range sizes, and responses to human activities such as fencing, culling and commercial stalking. 'We'll also conduct habitat surveys in areas where the GPS data reveal that deer have been foraging or sheltering, to analyse their environmental impacts.' Nicola Williamson, a field officer for Affric Highlands, said: 'Strengthening our understanding of how these iconic and ecologically important animals move across estates and habitats is key to recovering ecosystems and improving deer health. This in turn supports rural economies and livelihoods through skilled deer management, and sustainable sport and nature-based tourism.' Arran Matheson, a deer stalker on Scotland's west coast who has been involved in the project, said: 'Taking part in the red deer collaring project with Nicola and Eilidh has been a great experience. We've worked together to locate, track, and fit GPS collars on the deer as part of this important conservation effort. This will give vital data about the deer's habitat use and movement patterns, and it's something I know a lot of stalkers will be very interested in.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The project was granted a licence by the UK Home Office and approved by Durham University's Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body. Affric Highlands is currently working to secure additional funding for the initiative, to enable more GPS collars to be deployed and to fund the collation of the two years' worth of data for use by land managers. Red deer are Scotland's largest surviving terrestrial mammal, and a keystone species that plays a crucial role in natural processes, shaping the landscape by grazing grasses and sedges, browsing tree shoots and shrubs, and trampling and wallowing. Affric Highlands, among other conservation groups, said the current level of deer numbers are 'a major barrier' to tree planting initiatives.
The National
08-05-2025
- General
- The National
Scottish rewilding initiative launches as new independent charity
Affric Highlands has committed to restoring 20,000 hectares of land for nature, people and the climate over the next 30 years. The charity, which includes local people and landowners, aims to protect and recover peatlands, rivers and forests. It has operated as a joint venture led by Trees for Life with support and advice from Rewilding Europe. Its efforts will also focus on sustainable fishing, farming, timber and wildlife tourism to create a network of businesses supported by rewilding and supporting the environment further. READ MORE: Pro-republic rally returns to Edinburgh this weekend Affric Highland looks to cover more than 700 square miles of connected landholdings from Loch Ness to Kintail on the west coast, with the charity's area is centred on Glen Affric in Beauly. Stephanie Kiel, Affric Highlands's executive director, said: 'Affric Highlands is a community focused vision of hope. 'It's hugely inspiring to be setting out as a new charity on this ambitious 30-year journey to take large-scale nature recovery to a new level. 'We want to create new opportunities and real benefits for local landowners, communities and rural economies, so nature, people and livelihoods can all thrive together.' A statesman from the charity added: "The region is stunningly beautiful but largely ecologically damaged, with much land degraded following centuries of deforestation and overgrazing. "The globally unique Caledonian forest has been reduced to isolated fragments. Damage to peatlands means they are emitting rather than absorbing carbon. Lochs and rivers are depleted of salmon. "This damage to the natural world means the region now supports fewer people than it could – limiting people's opportunities for sustainable land-based jobs, and undermining sustainable agriculture which depends on functioning natural processes." The charity's partnerships cover 58,000 hectares of land curated by 19 local landowners. The individual landholdings are free to decide what benefits their land so solutions can be tailored to the landscape's specific needs. Trees For Life has been aiding Affric Highlands since the 1990s. The charity's chief executive, Steve Micklewright (above), said: 'Affric Highlands's success so far has brought us to the point where it can now begin a new era as an independent charity. 'This is fantastic news for breathing new life into the Highlands through rewilding.' Trees For Life cares for a 10,000-acre estate in Dundreggan, Glenmoriston which is where the world's first rewilding centre was founded – Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. They have pushed for planting native tree species like the Scots pine in Glen Affric which has brought wildlife back to its former home Affric Highlands became the ninth member of Rewilding Europe's coalition of rewilding sites in September 2021. Frans Schepers, Rewilding Europe's executive director, said Affric Highlands will 'enrich the social fabric and wildlife of these glens and hills, while inspiring the growth of landscape-scale rewilding across Europe too'. Rewilding Europe covers ecologically precious areas such as the Danube Delta, Romania's Southern Carpathians and the Iberian Highlands in Spain.
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Scotland's endangered wildcats could be saved in massive 800 sq mile Highland rewilding plan
The new Affric Highlands charity has set out ambitious plans to restore nature and wildlife over a sweeping area from Loch Ness to the west coast. Scotland's endangered wildcats could be saved as part of a massive 800-square-mile rewilding plan across the Highlands. The new Affric Highlands charity has set out ambitious plans to regenerate native woodland, peatland and riverside habitats and boost endangered species like wildcats, covering a sweeping stretch of the country from Loch Ness to the west coast. The group said it will work with local landowners to boost the local economy and make the region a hub for sustainable timber, fishing, farming, venison and wildlife tourism. Affric Highlands - whose emblem is a wildcat, also known as the 'Highland Tiger' - vowed to see the iconic animal flourish as it takes on the huge 30-year project. The beautiful and rare wildcat - once widespread across the UK - is now only found in northern Scotland. With fewer than 300 left, the mammal is considered critically at risk of extinction. In a statement, Affric Highlands said: 'It is hoped that habitat restoration will support efforts to help this much-loved species thrive again.' It also promised action to aid conservation efforts for other struggling species like red squirrels, mountain hares and Atlantic salmon. The rewilding plan will cover a linked network of landholdings stretching from Loch Ness to Kintail in the west, and encompassing Glens Cannich, Urquhart, Affric, Moriston and Shiel. Despite the region's world-famous beauty, it is largely ecologically damaged, with much land degraded following centuries of deforestation and overgrazing. That includes the globally unique Caledonian forest which has been reduced to isolated fragments, while damage to peatlands means they are emitting rather than absorbing carbon. The charity said this was limiting people's opportunities for sustainable land-based jobs and undermining sustainable farming which depends on functioning natural processes. Affric Highlands executive director Stephanie Kiel said: 'Affric Highlands is a community focused vision of hope. 'It's hugely inspiring to be setting out as a new charity on this ambitious 30-year journey to take large-scale nature recovery to a new level. 'We want to create new opportunities and real benefits for local landowners, communities and rural economies, so nature, people and livelihoods can all thrive together.' Restoring habitats will boost biodiversity and benefit wildlife including golden eagles, red squirrels, black grouse, mountain hares, salmon, trout, ospreys and otters. Despite Scotland's renowned landscapes, data shows the country is one of the most nature-depleted in the world. Rewilding means the restoration of nature on a large enough scale that it can then take care of itself. Affric Highlands began work in September 2021, operating as a joint venture led by Trees for Life with support and advice from the Rewilding Europe network - before now launching as an independent charity. It has already built a broad coalition of 19 landowners backing the project, covering an area of around 225 square miles within the vast landscape. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Local rewilding schemes so far include restoring native woodlands and peatlands - and creating new woodland on riverbanks to provide shade, nutrients and shelter to Scotland's threatened wild salmon population. Steve Micklewright, Trees for Life's chief executive, said: 'Affric Highlands' success so far – coupled with the opportunities for people offered by its bold vision of landscape-scale nature recovery – has brought us to the point where it can now begin a new era as an independent charity. 'This is fantastic news for breathing new life into the Highlands through rewilding.' Frans Schepers of Rewilding Europe said: 'Affric Highlands will enrich the social fabric and wildlife of these glens and hills.'
The Herald Scotland
07-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Rewilding scheme Affric Highlands launches as charity
It will rewild the landscape and allow nature to connect and thrive across large areas – creating social and economic benefits for communities, supporting re-peopling, and tackling the climate and nature emergencies. Affric Highlands will work with local landowners to strengthen land-based rural livelihoods and nature-based economic opportunities, making the region a hub for sustainable timber, fishing, farming, venison and wildlife tourism. This will include the creation of a network of businesses benefitting from rewilding. 'Affric Highlands is a community focused vision of hope. It's hugely inspiring to be setting out as a new charity on this ambitious 30-year journey to take large-scale nature recovery to a new level,' said Affric Highlands executive director Stephanie Kiel. 'We want to create new opportunities and real benefits for local landowners, communities and rural economies, so nature, people and livelihoods can all thrive together.' Black Grouse (Image: Siân Addison/Affric Highlands) Restoring habitats will boost biodiversity and benefit wildlife including golden eagles, red squirrels, black grouse, mountain hares, salmon, trout, ospreys and otters. The initiative will potentially cover over 700 square miles stretching from Loch Ness to Kintail in the west, and encompassing Glens Cannich, Urquhart, Affric, Moriston and Shiel. The region is stunningly beautiful but largely ecologically damaged, with much land degraded following centuries of deforestation and overgrazing. The globally unique Caledonian forest has been reduced to isolated fragments. Damage to peatlands means they are emitting rather than absorbing carbon. Lochs and rivers are depleted of salmon. This damage to the natural world means the region now supports fewer people than it could – limiting people's opportunities for sustainable land-based jobs, and undermining sustainable agriculture which depends on functioning natural processes. Affric Highlands began work in September 2021, when it also became the ninth member of Rewilding Europe's network of large, iconic rewilding landscapes across Europe. This followed the initiative's first three years of work as Trees for Life's East-West Wild project, during which the charity carried out extensive preparation and local consultation. READ MORE: Affric Highlands has since operated as a joint venture led by Trees for Life with support and advice from Rewilding Europe. The initiative has grown so successfully that it has now been launched as an independent charity, to take forward and upscale its pioneering work. Affric Highlands' growing partnership already consists of a broad coalition of 19 landowners, covering an area of over 58,000 hectares within the vast landscape. These separate landholdings – which have all signed a memorandum of understanding – are making their own decisions on what nature recovery interventions are right for them, with the Affric Highlands team providing guidance and also support for seeking funding. Native woodlands and peatlands are being restored to boost biodiversity and absorb carbon. Riverwoods are being created by returning woodland to the banks of upland streams and rivers to provide vital shade, nutrients and shelter for Scotland's struggling Atlantic salmon. Executive Director Stephanie Kiel (Image: James Shooter) The landscape is centred on Glen Affric, where native woodland restoration has been pioneered by Trees for Life since the 1990s. Thirty years on, these original areas are now alive with Scots pine and other trees, and wildlife is thriving. Trees for Life's own 10,000-acre estate at Dundreggan in Glenmoriston – regarded as an exemplar of rewilding in the Highlands, and home to the world's first Rewilding Centre – is one of over 45 different estates that own most of the land in the Affric Highlands landscape. Steve Micklewright, Trees for Life's chief executive, said: 'Affric Highlands' success so far – coupled with the opportunities for people offered by its bold vision of landscape-scale nature recovery – has brought us to the point where it can now begin a new era as an independent charity. This is fantastic news for breathing new life into the Highlands through rewilding.' Rewilding Europe's family of major European-wide flagship rewilding landscapes range from Affric Highlands to Swedish Lapland to Italy's Central Apennines. Frans Schepers, executive director of Rewilding Europe, said: 'By recovering a tapestry of habitats, bringing together landowners and communities, and creating tangible benefits for people, Affric Highlands will enrich the social fabric and wildlife of these glens and hills, while inspiring the growth of landscape-scale rewilding across Europe too.' The Affric Highlands emblem is the Scottish wildcat. It is hoped that habitat restoration will support efforts to help this much-loved species thrive again.
