European beaver confirmed living in Gironde
After decades of absence, signs of the protected species have been verified near Bordeaux by France’s biodiversity agency
The European beaver disappeared from much of France due to hunting and habitat loss
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The European beaver officially returned to Gironde, marking another step in its ongoing recovery in France.
Evidence collected earlier this year confirmed the presence of the protected species in the commune of Blanquefort, north-west of Bordeaux, according to France’s biodiversity agency (OFB).
The discovery was made after photographs were submitted by a local resident. OFB officers visited the site and identified characteristic signs confirming the presence of beavers in the area.
The European beaver was once widespread across French rivers before disappearing from much of the country due to intensive hunting and large-scale habitat loss.
By the early 20th century, only a small population remained in the lower Rhône valley. Since gaining protected status in 1968 and benefiting from reintroduction efforts in the decades that followed, it has slowly been expanding.
The confirmation in Gironde adds to evidence that beavers are continuing to spread throughout Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
OFB will monitor the newly established presence to gather more information, including origin and population size.
The European beaver should not be confused with the coypu (ragondin), an invasive South American rodent that is widespread in south-west France.
While the European beaver is fully protected under French law, coypu populations may be controlled due to their impact on local ecosystems.
Conservationists view the beaver’s return as a positive sign for biodiversity. Often described as an “ecosystem engineer,” the species can significantly reshape its environment by building dams and wetlands that support a wide variety of plants and wildlife.
