Beavers in Portugal were wiped out in the 1400s. But now they have returned. Rewilding Portugal explains:
The last known record of beavers in Portugal probably dates back to the end of the 15th century. Since then, this emblematic species has disappeared from our rivers, a victim of intensive hunting and habitat destruction.
However, after two decades of population recovery in [neighboring] Spain, signs of their presence in Portugal have finally been found. Gnawing marks began to appear on trees and structures manipulating the watercourse, typical of this species’ activity, and the timely placement of photo-trapping cameras confirmed the presence of a young adult in Portuguese territory….
“The beaver is a natural ally in restoring the health of our rivers”…By building dams, beavers create small wetlands, marshes and areas of standing water – habitats that are home to a huge variety of species: amphibians, aquatic insects, water birds, fish and small mammals….These wetlands also act as natural water filters, retaining sediment and pollutants and reducing the speed of surface runoff, which mitigates the effects of flooding and erosion. “We’re talking about a species that provides ecological services that no modern equipment can replicate with the same efficiency and scale, without costs and bureaucracy that can never be overcome. The beaver improves water quality, creates refuges for other species and helps us fight phenomena such as drought and fires.”
In 2023, a baby beaver was born in London, the first beaver birth there in 400 years.
Brazil’s rarest parrots have made a comeback, avoiding extinction.
In Florida, populations of manatees and sea turtles have rebounded.
Fish species are rebounding off the coast of California due to their young finding a sanctuary in abandoned oil rigs.
Scientists recently discovered that the world’s coral reefs are more plentiful than previously thought.
In 2023, carnivorous plants were reintroduced to English wetlands. And a dog discovered a species of mole long thought to be extinct, De Winton’s golden mole.
