Beavers Protect Us, so Let’s Protect Them Too

In England, the United Kingdom, the Eurasian beaver is now a protected species, meaning that it is no longer acceptable to “control” the endangered animal, among other things, as it is vital for the environment thanks to its dams.

“Beavers bring such an astonishing array of ecosystem services to our landscape, this truly is a historic day for the species in England,” states Sandra King, chief executive of Beaver Trust.

From now on, it is illegal to capture, kill, injure, or disturb Eurasian beavers, as is damaging a burrow or a dam without a license from Natural England. Beaver dams are known for helping the environment by keeping water clean and preventing flooding and drought. As a European protected species under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, beavers join bats, the Large Blue Butterfly, the Sand Lizard, and the Natterjack Toad as species found in the UK that are either endangered, vulnerable, rare, or otherwise at risk in Europe.