Throughout Europe beaver re-introduction has proven popular. In 2004, at a public debate on re-introductions held at the Natural History Museum in London, the beaver received overwhelming support from the audience.  In 1988 Scottish National Heritage (SNH) carried out extensive national consultation on the desirability beaver reintroduction. Three types of survey were undertaken during the consultation:

1. In a ‘passive public’ opinion survey involving 2,141 interviews, 63% of the general public supported a re-introduction, 12% were against, and 25% had no view.
2. A total of 1,944 written responses were received during a ‘pro-active public’ survey. Overall, 86% of this sample was in favour of the re-introduction. A smaller majority of land managers and those with interests in forestry supported re-introduction. However there was a lack of support from those with interests in fishing and agriculture.
3. A total of 281 consultees were also approached of which 144 (51%) responded. Reactions were mixed. Conservation and academic sectors were the most supportive, fishing/angling interests were the least supportive.

The outcome of this consultation was subsequently placed in the public domain for discussion. The consultation demonstrated that a majority of the public were in favour of a re-introduction.