Beavers

The Eurasian beaver is a species of beaver which was once widespread in Eurasia. It was hunted to near-extinction for both its fur and castoreum, and by 1900 only 1,200 beavers survived in eight relict populations in Europe and Asia. Re-introduced through much of its former range, it now occurs from Great Britain to China and Mongolia, although it is absent from Italy, Portugal and the southern Balkans.

The European beaver is the most characteristic species of Wigry National Park (WNP). The first beaver site located within the current boundaries of the Park was described between 1944-1949 and located by the Czarna Hańcza river mouth leading from lake Wigry. In order to protect the new beaver families settling down at the shores of lakes and rivers in WNP, two partial reservations were established in 1959 and 1962. The first one, "Beavers' Refuge in Stary Folwark" covers the area of 120 ha. and encompasses the Czarna Hańcza river mouth leading from lake Wigry. The second reserve, "Zakąty Beavers' Refuge" was established near the village of Zakąty in 1962. It covers the area of 7 ha. The long-term protective measures, such as the foundation of the reservation, as well as the creation of Wigry National Park, contributed to the increase of the numerical force of those animals and facilitated their migration to neighbouring areas, resulting in the development of a population of thousands of beavers in Suwalki region. 

European beaver is the coat of arms of the Wigry National Park, as it will remain a permanent element of the Park. When roaming the tourist routes, one can often observe the signs of beavers' activity or, provided they remain silent and calm, even see them swimming and feeding. Once they find a safe refuge, the beavers are also active during the day. In order to facilitate the observations of beavers, a special platform was prepared on the "Suchary" educational path. Nature lovers who have not been able to see these interesting creatures live can see them on film in the building of the Wigry National Park Management Headquarters.

Joanna Wirbał