Biber under pressure: 80 animals for flood protection in Brandenburg killed!

Von WOM

The recent floods in Brandenburg have led to drastic measures that are intended to guarantee the protection of the dike. In connection with the floods, around 80 beavers were reportedly killed. These figures come from a survey by the German Press Agency, which was obtained from the responsible authorities. The section dye in the Märkisch-Oderland district, where 72 beavers were “taken”, were particularly affected, a term that is used in the language of the authorities. The district of Oder-Spree also reported at least nine biber or nutrias.

beaver are usually under special protection, but have a potential hazard for the stability of the dike during the flood times. The animals try to get to the dikes, where they can destabilize the protective structures through the ditch of deep holes. According to the country's beaver ordinance, it is allowed to shoot such animals for hazard defense during a flood situation.

No negative effects on the beaver stock

The Ministry of Agriculture sees no negative consequences of these measures for the overall inventory of beavers in Brandenburg. A spokesman for the ministry said that the measures within the framework of the beaver regulation do not adverse the Biber's condition in the country. In addition to the shooting of the animals, measures such as lowering beaver dams are also part of the precautions taken.

According to current estimates by the State Office for the Environment, there are around 4,000 to 4,200 beavers in Brandenburg. After a time of almost complete extermination, the inventory has recovered, and now almost all beaver areas are occupied in the country. As a result, the number of animals remains stable without being observed further growth of the inventory.

So far, there has been no comprehensive record of the flood damage and costs for Brandenburg. An inventory has started, but it will take time to see how the affected counties and the state level can be experienced. Information on this can be found at www.sueddeutsche.de .