Eurasian beaver

The Eurasian beaver is a large rodent that builds dams and lodges across Europe and Asia. Once nearly wiped out by hunting, its numbers have bounced back to over a million. These busy builders reshape rivers and create wetlands that benefit many other species.

• Its population dropped to just 1,200 individuals in the early 1900s due to hunting.
• About half of all Eurasian beavers today live in Russia.
• They produce castoreum, a scent substance once highly valued by humans.