Nicknamed the “ecosystem engineer,” the beaver (Castor fiber) is one of the keystone species of the ecosystem. After being extinct for over a century in Romania, 182 beavers were reintroduced into the wild between 1998 and 2003. As a species protected under the Habitats Directive, the population has recovered spectacularly, and today, we can say that it is stable and viable in Romania. The most recent observations made by Rewilding Romania field teams show the presence of the beaver in the upper basin of the Timiș River, in the commune of Teregova, Caras-Severin county, and on the Strei River, in the commune of Bretea Română, Hunedoara county. These observations are the first in the above-mentioned areas and show that the species is expanding its territory.
A brief history of beaver reintroduction in Romania
Habitat destruction and excessive hunting for fur, meat, and castoreum were the leading causes of the drastic reduction of the beaver population in Europe. As hunting has been reduced and measures have been put in place to protect and conserve the species, the beaver population in Europe has recovered very well in a relatively short time. No scientific studies on beavers in Romania existed before the initiative to reintroduce the species. The available information is documentary evidence, such as hunting reports or historical sources attesting to the presence of beavers in the past.
Since Romania was part of the species’ historical range, the habitat is still present, and the reintroduction process was successful. In 1998, through a joint collaborative project, a group of researchers from the Institute for Research and Forest Management in Brașov and the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment initiated a beaver reintroduction project in Romania. The repopulation was done gradually, at different times, in the catchment basins of the Olt, Mureș, and Ialomița rivers, which have specific ecological conditions for beaver habitats. Due to favourable conditions and the protection of the species at the national level, in 2010, beavers were recorded migrating without human intervention in the Danube Delta, the Big Island of Brăila. Recently, in 2024-2025, the species was observed in the upper basin of the Timiș River, within the commune of Teregova, Caraș-Severin County, and on the Strei River, within the commune of Bretea Română, Hunedoara County.
About the beaver
The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is the largest rodent mammal in Europe, with a compact body between 75 and 120 cm long. The hind limbs have an interdigital membrane and are adapted for swimming, while the tail is broad and flattened horizontally, acting as a rudder and support. Its large orange-colored incisors grow continuously throughout its life. They are coated with an iron-rich enamel that gives them hardness and strength. The beaver’s fur is a silky, brownish color, and in the past, it was hunted for this, as well as for castoreum, a substance secreted by beavers and used in the perfume industry.
In mid-winter, young beavers search for a lifelong mate. The gestation period lasts about 100 days; at the end of winter, the female gives birth to 2 to 4 young. Beavers feed differently depending on the season, preferring aquatic and herbaceous food in summer, which they find near their dens. In winter, they consume the young branches of trees along the banks of the rivers, preferring willow, poplar, and pine, and in autumn, they mainly fell trees as a source of food but also to replenish their burrows and dams.
The beaver’s favorite habitat is slow-flowing rivers with willow thickets, other trees, and lakes. It is nicknamed the ecosystem engineer because it builds its burrows and rearranges the environment like a mosaic, building dams on rivers and lakes. By building these dams, he creates an environment that retains water and expands wetlands. Ponds formed by dam construction create microhabitats, provide food sources, and develop wetland areas, attracting more bird species. These areas also benefit fish, which find shelter, places to feed, and favorable conditions for reproduction. By cutting down trees and creating wetlands, beavers contribute to the accumulation of dead wood and organic matter. Their dams slow the water flow, allowing sediment and nutrients to settle, improving water quality.
Why beavers are essential
Because of its impact on the ecosystem, the beaver is considered a keystone species in the food chain, ensuring ecological balance. Romania is among the countries that were once part of the species’ historical habitat. Once reintroduced into the wild, beavers have adapted very well, migrating to other wetlands in the country.
The dynamics of the beaver population in Romania bring multiple benefits to the ecosystem, among which we list:
- They create natural dams to build their burrows, thus facilitating the emergence of new wetlands, which become a rich feeding habitat for different species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and insects.
- By building natural dams, beavers regulate the flow velocity of rivers, which has multiple benefits for the ecosystem: better water quality and more abundant fish. At the same time, by regulating the flow of rivers, beavers help mitigate the effects of flooding and prevent wetlands from drying up during the hot periods of the year.
- Because they consume vegetation, they contribute to the emergence of new trees and shrubs. They prefer willow, aspen, poplar, and anise.
- As it is a relatively recently reintroduced species in the Romanian fauna, the beaver represents an increased interest for tourists interested in observing animals in nature. The influx of tourists creates opportunities for local development through photographic or nature-based tourism.
Educating local communities for effective coexistence
The successful reintroduction of an extinct species into the wild is proof that rewilding practices work and benefit the ecosystem. The beaver was gradually reintroduced into the wild in Romania between 1998 and 2003, becoming a nationally protected species. The aim was to restore the beaver population.
Reintroducing a species back into the wild involves not only the establishment of a legislative framework but also an adequate public information and education program. The extinction of animal or plant species generally occurs due to anthropogenic activity, which is why local communities’ involvement in reintroducing the species into the wild is imperative and even vital.
The negative attitude towards beavers stems more from a lack of knowledge about this unfamiliar species. This is understandable, given that it was only relatively recently reintroduced to the Romanian landscape after over a century of absence. A negative general opinion has been created, with the beaver being perceived as a destructive animal, causing damage near running water by knocking down trees and gnawing bushes. Another misconception about beavers is that they feed on fish or domestic animals when, in fact, they are a vegetation-feeding species.
Threats to the beaver
Although the species is protected at the national level by the European Council’s “Habitats Directive,” there are also threats to the beaver population, the most important being:
- Habitat reduction and degradation through human intervention, burning vegetation, and felling of trees.
- Poaching.
- Lack of social awareness and education.
- Unsupervised sheep dogs or roaming dogs attacking beaver calves and juveniles.
- Construction of dams or other artificial works on watercourses.
Reintroducing species into the wild requires education of local communities. Education and information are long-term actions that benefit people and nature. The presence of the beaver has helped the ecosystem, showing us once again that balance is needed for a harmonious coexistence between man and nature.