Beavers In Austria: An Unexpected Presence

Beavers are large, semi-aquatic rodents native to the Northern Hemisphere. There are two species: the North American beaver and the Eurasian beaver, which can be found in a range of freshwater habitats across the world. The Eurasian beaver was once widespread in Europe but was hunted to near extinction for its fur, meat, and castoreum, a secretion from its scent glands. By 1900, the European population numbered only about 1,200 individuals. However, the Eurasian beaver has since been reintroduced to several countries, including Austria.

History of Beavers in Austria

The European beaver, Castor fiber, was once native to Austria. However, by the 1860s, they had been completely wiped out due to overhunting. Beavers were hunted for their meat, fur, castoreum oil, fat, testicles, and blood, all of which were believed to have medicinal properties. The last beaver in Lower Austria was hunted near Fischamend in 1863.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Austria began a reintroduction program, releasing about 40 beavers into the wild around the Danube floodplains east of Vienna. The program was successful, and the beaver population in eastern Austria has since grown and spread. There are now approximately 800 beavers in the eastern population and 200 in the western population, with 15 smaller groups scattered throughout the country.

The reintroduction of beavers has not been without challenges. As the beaver population grows, conflicts with humans have emerged, particularly with farmers whose fields have been damaged and with local authorities due to obstructed water flows. In 2015, the Austrian government established a "beaver management" program to mediate these conflicts and resolve local problems.

Beavers are often referred to as "ecosystem engineers" due to their ability to shape landscapes and waterways. By felling trees and creating dams, they provide habitats and enrich the structure of riverbanks, benefiting various animal species, including fishes, pond turtles, birds, amphibians, and insects.

Current Beaver Population in Austria

The Eurasian beaver, or Castor fiber, is native to Austria. However, the species was completely wiped out in the country by the 1860s due to overhunting. In the 1970s and 1980s, Austria reintroduced beavers along the Danube River east of Vienna, and the population has since grown and spread.

The current beaver population in Austria is estimated to be approximately 800 animals in the eastern region and 200 in the west. There are also 15 smaller groups scattered across the country. This growth in numbers and geographic spread has led to some conflict between beavers and humans, particularly regarding damage to agricultural fields and the obstruction of water flows.

The Austrian government has implemented a "beaver management" program to mediate these issues and ensure the conservation of the species. This program aims to educate the public and resolve local problems, but it may also be used to relocate or, as a last resort, cull parts of the beaver population if conflicts persist.

The Eurasian beaver is a keystone species, playing a crucial role in supporting the ecosystem it inhabits. By building dams and lodges, they create wetlands that provide habitats for various other species. They are also herbivores, consuming tree bark, aquatic plants, grasses, and sedges.

The beaver population in Austria is expected to continue growing and stabilizing over the next few decades.

Conservation Efforts in Austria

The European beaver, Castor fiber, was once native to Austria but was completely wiped out in the 1860s. In the 1970s and 1980s, Austria implemented a reintroduction programme, releasing beavers into the wild around the Danube floodplains east of Vienna. This eastern Austrian beaver population has since grown and spread, with smaller populations in the north and west of the country. The current population is estimated to be approximately 800 in the east and 200 in the west, with 15 smaller groups scattered elsewhere.

The return of the beaver to Austria has not been without its challenges. As their numbers have grown and they have spread geographically, there has been some conflict between the beavers and humans. Beavers can damage fields, obstruct water flows, and interfere with flood controls. In 2015, the Austrian government set up a "beaver management" programme to mediate between affected parties and conservation authorities. This programme has been used for education and to resolve local problems, but if issues persist, it may be used to relocate or cull some beavers.

To minimise conflict, there are several preventative measures that can be taken:

• Protect valuable trees near beaver territories with cylinders made of galvanised fencing or Wöbra paste.
• Protect beet and maize fields with electric fences.
• Protect roads and river banks from undermining by intensifying river bank strips and using wire mesh or providing artificial lodges.
• Prevent waterlogging in fields by inserting drainage pipes into beaver dams.
• Create more room for water to slow down runoff during flooding.

In addition, providing more space for natural river bank strips, around 10-15 metres wide, would greatly reduce the potential for conflict with beavers. This is because beavers typically search for food or building materials within a 20-metre-wide strip of the river bank.

While the reintroduction of beavers to Austria has presented some challenges, it also has ecological benefits. Beavers form their habitats by digging, damming, and felling activities, introducing a dynamic to waterways that would otherwise only occur during natural catastrophes such as flooding or storms. This dynamic and diversity in structure, light, and current provide ideal habitat conditions for many plants and animals, increasing biodiversity over time.

Human-Beaver Conflict

The European beaver, Castor fiber, was once native to Austria but was completely wiped out in the 1860s. The species was reintroduced to the country in the 1970s and 1980s, with around 40 beavers released into the wild along the Danube River east of Vienna. This reintroduction has been a success, with the population growing and spreading across the country. There are now an estimated 800 beavers in the eastern population, 200 in the west, and 15 smaller groups scattered elsewhere.

However, as the beaver population has grown, so too has conflict with humans. One of the main issues is the damage they can cause to farmland and fields, as well as their impact on water flow and flood control. In 2016, beavers were reported to have caused €750,000 worth of damage in the small town of Zurndorf in Burgenland, due to interference with flood controls and water flows. In response to these issues, the Austrian government set up a "beaver management" program to mediate between affected parties and conservation authorities. This program has been used to educate people about beavers and to resolve local problems, although there are concerns that, if issues persist, it may be used to relocate or cull some of the beaver population.

There are a number of strategies that can be employed to mitigate human-beaver conflict. These include the use of wire mesh, anti-game paint, and economic compensation for farmers. In addition, electric fences can be used to keep beavers out of certain areas, and culverts can be installed through beaver dams to reduce the risk of flooding.

While conflict does arise, it is important to remember that beavers also provide a wide range of benefits to people and the environment. They are considered ecosystem engineers, capable of transforming landscapes, enhancing biodiversity, and improving the health and functionality of water bodies. Their dams can reduce water flow, prevent flooding, and create habitats for a variety of other species.

Beavers in Austria vs. Beavers in Other Countries

Beavers were once widespread across Europe and Asia, but by the early 20th century, their populations and range had been drastically reduced due to hunting. The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber), also known as the European beaver, was native to Austria but was completely wiped out in the 1860s. In the 1970s and 1980s, however, they were reintroduced to the country, and their population has since grown and spread.

Beavers in Austria

The reintroduction of beavers to Austria began in the 1970s when about 40 beavers were released into the wild around the Danube floodplains. Today, there are thousands of beavers living in Austria, with an estimated population of 800 animals in the eastern region and 200 in the west. There are also 15 smaller groups scattered throughout the country. The growth in numbers and geographic spread of beavers in Austria has led to some conflict with humans, particularly farmers and local authorities. To manage these conflicts, the government established a "beaver management" program to mediate between affected parties and conservation authorities.

Beavers in Other Countries

The Eurasian beaver can now be found in many countries across Eurasia, including Western, Southern, Central, and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, and China. The species has been successfully reintroduced in several countries, including Scotland, parts of France, southern Germany, Italy, and Croatia. In 2020, the total Eurasian beaver population in Europe was estimated to be over one million. Small native populations are also present in Mongolia and northwestern China.

The North American beaver (Castor canadensis) is the other extant beaver species, and it is widespread throughout most of the United States and Canada. This species has also been introduced to other parts of the world, such as Finland, Tierra del Fuego in South America, and England.

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