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    Along the edge of freshwater ditches, streams, ponds, rivers and lakes throughout Europe, a busy little animal builds intricate structures that help preserve the continent's wetlands - even as it fights for its own survival.The European Beaver, which is indistinguishable from the North American Beaver, but classified as a different species, is hardworking and loyal. This animal mates for life, with two adults living in small family groups known as lodges. Their offspring stay with their parents until they are around three years old and go out on their own. Given this dedication to family life it is perhaps not surprising that the beaver spends its time designing and building a home. Often described as architects of the wild, the beaver is the only animal, besides man, whose building has an impact on the environment. However, unlike many human activities, the beaver creates a more sustainable world. They set up their lodges by building small dams and creating still water areas where they build nests and feed. This ability to modify large areas of habitat helps maintain wetlands by encouraging flora and fauna of all kinds; fish, otters, water birds, foxes and deer thrive. Once, the European Beaver inhabited most of temperate Eurasia from the British Isles to the eastern coast of the Russia Federation. By the 19th century, the beaver could only be found in small, isolated wetland areas in, Germany, Norway, Belarus, Mongolia and the Russian Federation. As recently as 10 years ago, this builder was on the edge of extinction, hunted because of the high demand for its soft water proof fur and a substance called castoreum found in the beaver's anal glands. Castoreum contains salicylic acid - the active ingredient in aspirin. Now that the beaver's important role in preserving wetlands is recognized, conservationists are working to reintroduce it to countries, such as Hungry, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands where it had been extinct. In these countries, the beaver is hard at work, demonstrating how effective its small-time operations are for sustaining the environment. The European Beaver is protected under the Convention on international Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES ), which is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). CITES is an agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. CITES makes it illegal to hunt the European Beaver or to destroy its habitat. To date, 160 governments have ratified the treaty, which offers varying protection to more than 35,000 species of animals and plants, depending on their condition in the wild and the effect international trade may have on them. CITES bans international trade in species threatened with extinction. It also protects other species, which are not threatened, but may be at serious risk unless international trade is strictly regulated.
LEARN MORE how the UN works with its partners around the world to save endangered species. Go to the links at the side of the page. Photo credit: UN |
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