600 to 700 beavers live in the Dachau district. Never that many before. Three experts explain where the beaver causes trouble, how to live together successfully and what you should definitely not do if you encounter the rodent.
Dachau – It is 1.30 meters long, weighs up to 30 kilograms, has a flat tail and strong teeth: the beaver. However, because of his fur, his meat and the so-called castoreum - the secretion from his anal gland - the furry guy was in trouble. Humans eradicated it from this continent by the first half of the 20th century. But the beaver came back. To Europe, to Germany, to Bavaria and to Dachau. “There are 600 to 700 specimens in the district,” estimates Sabine Schöttl, head of the Lower Nature Conservation Authority. In the past 20 years the population has almost tripled.
In order to raise awareness about beavers in the Dachau district, Schöttl has now invited Roderich Zauscher, chairman of the Dachau district group of the Federal Nature Conservation Association, and beaver consultant Barbara Karcher to the district office for a press conference. It became clear: Even if the beaver causes economic damage, it is still very useful for humans.
The beaver is more of a blessing than a curse
For Roderich Zauscher, the rodent is not just another mammal, it is an “incredibly valuable landscape designer” and a “loyal friend and helper”. By damming and felling trees, the beaver creates standing water and clearings near the shore, creating new habitats for a variety of species. The beaver is also “a valuable ally” when it comes to reclaiming the moors, as Zauscher explains. By damming up runoff water, the beaver wets the surrounding area. Where beavers are active, more groundwater can form again - according to Zauscher, “a great benefit for the water balance”.
But the beavers also cause trouble, the environmental expert admits. Especially in agriculture and in the forest. For example, when it jams. Farmers can then no longer use the area as usual. Or when it undermines streets and paths. “Then it gets dangerous,” says Barbara Karcher. She is one of seven beaver advisors in the Dachau district.
In special exceptional cases, the strictly protected beaver may be “taken” – i.e. killed – explains Sabine Schöttl. This affects between 30 and 55 animals every year. For example, if there is a risk that the beaver will undermine sewage ponds. Then the function of sewage treatment plants can no longer be guaranteed. “But usually the beaver doesn’t cause that much damage,” emphasizes beaver consultant Karcher. Head of department Schöttl also agrees with this. “Many people are unfamiliar with beaver biology and have an exaggerated sense of harm,” she says. The economic damage amounts to a mid-four-digit amount every year.
Correct behavior when encountering a beaver
“The benefit for everyone is significantly greater than the damage caused to an individual,” emphasizes Roderich Zauscher. A large part of the population has now understood this. “The acceptance of the beaver has become greater,” he says. The likelihood of encountering the rodent at dusk has also increased. Not just near the shore in nature, but also in populated areas. For example, near canals or private garden ponds.
Then it is important to stay calm, call a beaver consultant and not get too close to the animal. Under no circumstances should you take a selfie, warns beaver consultant Karcher. “If a beaver feels cornered, it can become aggressive like any other wild animal.” But that rarely happens.
Biber feels very comfortable in the district
Why do these shy animals even dare to come so close to urban areas? There is, so to speak, a housing shortage for beavers in the Dachau district. According to Karcher, every suitable position for a beaver castle has already been filled. Master Bockert feels particularly comfortable here. Because of the many bodies of water and because agriculture inadvertently feeds them with rapeseed, corn and sugar beets, the beaver has expanded significantly in recent years. Now the peak has been reached, says Zauscher. He maintains the protection status of the animals.
Popular beaver areas are the FFH protected areas in Haimhausen and Ottershausen. There are also beaver strongholds along the Ilm and in the Glonntal. What is striking is that the beavers are moving ever closer together. However, according to Zauscher, territorial conflicts have decreased. Dead or injured animals with bite wounds have decreased. “The animals adapt and they come to terms,” says Zauscher. For him it is clear: “The beaver is becoming more peaceful!”