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Beaver enclosure opens after renovation: An injured beaver is back!
The beaver enclosure in Wittenberg reopens its doors after renovation. Observe the beaver habitat in the biosphere reserve.
Beaver enclosure opens after renovation: An injured beaver is back!
The beaver enclosure between Dessau and Oranienbaum will soon be open to visitors again. After a long closure due to serious renovation work, the popular excursion destination in the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve is finally allowed to open its doors again. MDR reports that the facility remained orphaned for years while hopes were held for the return of the characteristic rodents. Those days are now over, as an injured beaver that was nursed back to health was recently released into the outdoor area for observation.
The outdoor area extends over two hectares and offers optimal living conditions for beavers, which, with optimal care, can grow up to 1.40 meters long and weigh 35 kilograms. In the last two years, the area has been renovated with extensive investments of over 300,000 euros. Among other things, the pond was desilted and new protective fences were built. A viewing tower was renovated to allow visitors to view the beavers from an elevated position.
A look into beaver country
The outdoor area is not only an important retreat for the beavers, but also part of the so-called beaver country, which allows visitors to explore the habitat of these fascinating animals. Middle Elbe emphasizes that the aim of the redesign of the outdoor area is to soon house a beaver family again under natural conditions. In contrast to previous experience, there is no guarantee that the animals will be visible at all times, as the capture of beaver pairs during the whelping and breeding season from May to the end of August is not permitted for species protection reasons.
New trapping operations are scheduled to start by September 2024 to provide additional beavers with accommodation. There is great hope for more beaver cubs next spring to make the facility a magnet for the public again and to attract over 10,000 visitors a year.
The beaver as a key species
The return of the beavers can be seen as a success story. Nature find tells us that the beaver was extinct in Germany for over 400 years, but survived in Saxony-Anhalt. The species has been spreading again for around 50 years and plays an important role in the biodiversity of our floodplain landscapes. Beavers are considered a key ecological species because their building activities create new habitats and promote biodiversity.
The new outdoor area not only offers a platform for visitors, but also a valuable contribution to nature conservation. Beaver biotopes can promote habitat for numerous species and support groundwater recharge. However, humans are called upon to deal with the beavers' construction activities, as conflicts can arise, particularly near agricultural areas.
The decision to reopen the beaver enclosure, which was closed after years of renovation, brings a breath of fresh air to the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve and promises exciting experiences for nature lovers and families. Visitors can admire the newly designed facilities and perhaps soon see the beavers in their new home. The beaver country thus proves to be an enrichment for the region and a sign of successful nature conservation.