Bober (Castor fiber) - Prirodoslovni muzej Slovenije

SCOPOLIA 59 - 2006
Abstract:
Slovenia had been inhabited by the beaver with absolute certainty from the interglacial Riss/
Würm period until the 17-18 th centuries, when eventually exterminated by man. The first initiative
for its reintroduction in 1992 failed due to the lack of means. In Slovenia, the beaver thus settled
in a natural way, as a consequence of the reintroduction of Bavarian beavers to Croatia (initialled
in 1996). The first beaver colony was found during the winter of 1998/1999 in the lower course
of the River Radulja at the confluence with the Krka. Since then, the beaver has been constantly
present in this area. Its first breeding was recorded in 2001, whereas in the winter of 2003/2004
beavers settled in the upper course of the River Krka, too. In October 2002, it was found on the
Dobličica, where eventually settling as well. In view of the water quality, banks, diet and human
presence, both habitats are suboptimal for this aquatic rodent. Damages and conflicts are moderate
on both sites. Both colonies have been classified as NATURA 2000 sites. During the last two
years, the beaver has also occurred on the Rivers Sotla (2005), Mura (2005) and Drava (2006).
The beaver population in Slovenia constitutes the margin of its Croatian population.
Key words: Castor fiber, Slovenia, reintroduction, range expansion, NATURA 2000