Biber plague in Upper Lusatia: Pond management stands in front of ruin!

Biber plague in Upper Lusatia: Pond management stands in front of ruin!

The beaver, Europe's largest rodent, is increasingly causing trouble in rural areas in Upper Lusatia. The Kreba pond economy in particular has had violent trouble with these “builders” of nature over the past few years. Managing Director Jörg Richter reports on annual repair costs of around 250,000 euros caused by the activities of the rodents. Again and again the beavers shovel undiscovered under dams, which redirect critical water pipes and dry out entire ponds. The result is a damage of around 30,000 euros, and this is considering the already tense financial situation of the pond economy. Only 60 percent of the damage caused by the animals are replaced, and only in the following year. This endangers the continued existence of the companies, such as MDR.

The problem is not just local. The authorities are reaching more and more reports on beaver damage to agricultural areas and private property. The Free State of Saxony faces the challenge of reconciling the protection of the beaver with the interests of people. One approach to this could be the newly created beaver management of the State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology. There are contacts in every district for affected citizens. The Saxon State Fisheries Association also urges a fundamental decision to regulate the beaver in certain regions in order to defuse the situation in the long term.

a step to improve the beaver situation

Among the interests of interests there are efforts to install a "beaver manager" for the northern district. The landscape maintenance association Oberlausitz (LPV) is looking for suitable candidates with the aim of accompanying the resettlement of the beaver nature conservation and securing the existence of this protected manner in the long term. A study is intended to provide information about the current beaver stock in the Görlitz district and derive action to protect the animal. As of November 2022, 161 beaver areas have already been recorded in Upper Lusatia, 132 of which are actively staffed. This increase shows how much the beaver becomes at home here, and could result in further conflicts, since the demand for food and habitat of beavers overlaps with human usage funds.

The return of the beaver to the region creates both opportunities and conflicts. The beaver is not referred to as a landscape architect for no reason. His activities contribute to the creation and preservation of habitats for numerous other animal species. However, the damage to agricultural areas caused by dam buildings and floods can be significant. These conflicts are not new; You have a long story. Biber have been hunted intensively for centuries, which contributed to their danger. In the past, they were hunted heavily because of their fur, the glandular secretion that healing powers should have and their meat. These events have led to a narrow wire rope act between species protection and damage regulation, which also testify to the current discussions, such as Sächsische.de explained.

a future -oriented beaver management

The ensuring effective beaver management is required to create a balance between the protection of this type and the concerns of those affected. The cooperation between nature conservation organizations and agriculture can be decisive. Measures such as educational work on the biology of the beaver, monitoring programs to observe your population and preventive protective measures can help to minimize conflicts. In many other regions, such as Bavaria, different approaches to solving the problem have already been discussed, but it turns out that killings of beavers do not always represent the most effective solution.

The Eurasian beaver plays an important role in the ecosystem, and it is time to recognize the necessity of the animal and to respect people's interests. It remains to be seen how future strategies are designed in dealing with these impressive animals and whether the projects introduced will bring the desired success. It takes a good hand to find a fair compensation that benefits both nature and people, as well as Wildlife Protection Germany.