Habitats for beavers in Groningen and Drenthe are becoming crowded
This week, a beaver was relocated from the Hunze en Aa’s Water Authority’s management area to the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority’s area. The beaver was relocated from an area where beavers are not welcome (red zone). Relocating them to suitable areas is becoming increasingly difficult. There are now only two locations left where we can relocate a beaver. This means that the time is approaching when we will have to proceed with the euthanasia of a captured beaver.
Beavers to green areas
The province of Groningen and part of Drenthe have been divided into areas where beavers are allowed to settle and areas where they are not. The area where beavers are not welcome (red zone) lies largely below sea level. Water safety is compromised when beavers start digging in the dykes embankments. Beavers pose a significant risk here and are therefore captured and relocated to a suitable habitat (green zones). In coordination with the provinces, the water boards have already relocated several beavers in recent years. However, the areas where beavers are welcome are becoming full.
Beaver Management Plan
The beaver population in Groningen and Drenthe has grown rapidly in recent years. This is good news for nature. At the same time, there is a challenge to limit damage caused by beavers. To address this, the provinces and water boards in Groningen and Drenthe adopted the Beaver Management Plan in 2021. It includes agreements on where beavers are welcome and what to do when beavers pose a threat to (water) safety.
Getting around is becoming increasingly difficult
Capturing beavers and relocating them to suitable areas is becoming increasingly difficult. Beavers are territorial. Several beaver families already inhabit the suitable habitats. The time is fast approaching when there will be no more suitable green areas to which beavers can be relocated. At that point, the decision will be made to cull a beaver, as agreed upon in the beaver management plan.
The added value of the beaver
Beavers play a significant role in promoting natural development and increasing biodiversity around streams and ponds. Beavers are able to adapt these areas to suit their needs. They are visible and add greatly to the experience of nature. After about two years, beavers leave their parents’ home and set out to find their own territory.
Other conflict situations
In addition to flood risks—such as the possibility of a dykes breach—beavers near roads and railways can also cause damage and create hazardous situations. Furthermore, the natural behaviour beavers can lead to serious problems on a local scale. Beaver burrows dug beneath farm roads are unacceptable, as they pose a risk of agricultural vehicles sinking or overturning.
Muskrat management
Water boards are working to control muskrats and coypu. They are not suited to our water system. More informationon muskrat management