Beavers Return to Portugal After 500 Years, Bringing Vital Ecosystem Benefits
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📰 The quick summary: After 500 years of local extinction, the European beaver has officially returned to Portugal, bringing significant ecological benefits that will help restore river ecosystems and combat drought and wildfires.
📈 One key stat: The beaver’s return after a 500-year absence marks one of the most significant steps in the aquatic rewilding of Portuguese rivers, offering vital ecosystem services that no modern equipment can replicate.
💬 One key quote: “We’ve been on the lookout for this breakthrough for a few years now, and now we’re thrilled to confirm its return. The beaver is a natural ally in restoring the health of our rivers and wetlands and has a fundamental role to play in our river ecosystems,” says Pedro Prata, Team Leader at Rewilding Portugal.
1️⃣ The big picture: The European beaver has made a historic return to Portugal after being extinct in the country since the 15th century. This significant ecological event was confirmed by recent camera trap footage showing the animal crossing from Spain, where reintroduction efforts have been successful. Beavers are considered ecosystem engineers second only to humans in their ability to transform landscapes. Through their dam-building activities, these large rodents create diverse wetland habitats that support fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and birds while improving water quality and retention.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Beavers transform landscapes into thriving aquatic paradises by diverting water flow, creating ponds, and cutting channels for floodwater. Their engineering activities increase water retention in soil, which helps combat the drought conditions that frequently affect Portugal. The wetlands they create act as natural firebreaks, potentially reducing the impact of wildfires that regularly threaten the country. Rewilding Portugal notes that the ecological services beavers provide cannot be replicated by modern equipment with the same efficiency and scale, offering these benefits without costs or bureaucratic hurdles.
3️⃣ What’s next: Rewilding Portugal has anticipated the beaver’s arrival and informed relevant ecological authorities to prepare for both the positive and potentially disruptive effects of beaver activity. Conservation efforts will need to balance the ecological benefits with occasional challenges like dam-bursting floods or damage to riverside plantations. Various management approaches used successfully in countries like France, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland will likely serve as models for Portugal.
Read the full story here: Good News Network – After 500 Years, the Beaver Is Back in Portugal and Ready to Give a Dam
