Habitats for beavers in Groningen and Drenthe are becoming crowded
This week, a beaver was relocated from the Hunze en Aa's Water Board management area to the Noorderzijlvest Water Board area. The beaver was relocated from an area where it is not welcome (red area). Relocating beavers to suitable areas is becoming increasingly difficult. There are now only two places left where we can relocate a beaver. This means that the time is approaching when we will have to resort to killing a captured beaver.
Beavers to green areas
The province of Groningen and part of Drenthe have been divided into areas where beavers can settle and areas where they cannot. The area where beavers are not welcome (red area) is largely below sea level. Water safety is compromised when beavers start digging in the dikes and quays. Beavers pose a major risk here and are therefore caught and relocated to a suitable habitat (green areas). In consultation 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 has grown rapidly in Groningen and Drenthe in recent years. This is positive for nature. At the same time, there is the challenge of limiting damage caused by beavers. To this end, the provinces and water boards in Groningen and Drenthe adopted the beaver management plan in 2021. This plan contains agreements about where beavers are welcome and what to do when beavers pose a threat to (water) safety.
Moving becomes increasingly difficult
Catching and relocating beavers to suitable areas is becoming increasingly difficult. Beavers are territorial. Several beaver families already live in suitable habitats. The moment is approaching when there will be no more suitable green areas to relocate the beavers to. At that point, the decision will be made to kill a beaver, as agreed in the beaver management plan.
Added value of the beaver
Beavers contribute significantly to nature development and increasing diversity around streams and lakes. Beavers are able to adapt these areas to their needs. They are visible and a valuable addition to the experience of nature. After about two years, beavers leave their parental home and go in search of their own habitat.
Other conflict situations
In addition to water safety, for example due to the risk of dike breaches, beavers in the vicinity of roads and railways can also cause damage and unsafe situations. Furthermore, the natural behavior of beavers can cause serious problems on a local scale. Beaver burrows dug under inspection paths are unacceptable, as they pose a risk of (agricultural) vehicles sinking or overturning.
Muskrat management
Water boards combat muskrats and coypu. They are not suited to our water system. More informationMusk rat management