This is the shocking picture of a pregnant beaver which was shot in the head and killed – less than two weeks after the animals became a protected species.
Outraged ecologist Derek Gow shared the picture on social media describing it as “murderous, callous, cruel”.
It is understood the beaver was pregnant and found not far from Crieff, Perth and Kinross.
A post-mortem examination is said to have shown it had been shot in the head with a shotgun, which didn’t kill it, and was later “finished off” with a rifle.
Derek said: “You can see the bullet wounds. Some others worse.
“No justification at all that’s credible.
“This is the guardians of the countryside on a moral norm.
“Shooting, bludgeoning, butchering.”
Environmentalist Ben Goldsmith also shared the picture stating: “Another dead beaver, also pregnant, found not far from Crieff.
“Post-mortem showed it to have been shot in the head with a shotgun, which didn’t kill it, later finished off with a rifle.
“She suffered greatly.
“There are fewer than a thousand beavers in Britain. This is an outrage.”
Other shocked users described the attack as ‘disgusting’ and ‘awful’.
On May 1 the Scottish Government brought into force a new regime giving beavers legal protection.
To kill them, or destroy their dams or lodges, people have to be granted a licence by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
Wildlife campaigners celebrated the decision, emphasising the widespread ecological benefits of the beavers’ reintroduction.
But farming leaders have previously raised concerns about the damage caused to agricultural land from their dam-building.
A spokesman for Scottish Natural Heritage said: “We can confirm this beaver wasn’t shot under licence.
“If it was shot after May 1, it is an offence.
“We understand the SSPCA will be investigating this further.
“Beavers are now a protected species.
“Anyone suspecting an offence has been committed should contact Police Scotland.”
The Scottish SPCA has been contacted for comment.
