The beaver, which was once extinct in Switzerland, has been successfully reintegrated into its waters and is thriving once again. Beavers have a long history in Switzerland but during the Middle Ages they were wanted for their fur and glands. Due to the widespread hunting, trapping, and ongoing habitat destruction as many rivers were channeled, the beaver population dwindled and was declared extinct in 1835.
Efforts to bring back the beaver began in the mid 1900’s. It all started when a group of conservationists from Zurich successfully reintroduced beavers into the Swiss countryside and by the 1970s. 141 beavers had been released at different locations and today there are almost 5000 animals in Switzerland again. The positive impact of the beavers on the environment and ecosystem is extraordinary.
Their activities slow the flow of water, improving water quality and creating new habitats for amphibians, reptiles, and many other aquatic creatures. Their dams also help reduce the risk of flooding and increase groundwater levels. Protective laws for beavers are in place allowing it once again to become an integral part of the Swiss ecosystem and a beloved symbol of nature and conservation.
