Hunters kill 25 beavers in Germany to prevent flooding

Animals shot dead to protect Oder dike from risk of collapse

Hunters have slaughtered 25 beavers in Germany for digging holes in a flood prevention system.
The animals were shot dead in Markisch-Oderland, in the eastern state of Brandenburg, to protect dikes from the risk of collapse.
The beavers are said to have dug holes in the Oder dike, a system of flood protection embankments built along the Oder river, the natural border between Poland and Germany.
“Disaster protection takes precedence over species protection,” said Henrik Wendorff, the president of the Brandenburg farmers’ association.
He said that the burrowing of the beavers into the dikes posed a significant risk to the stability of the flood defences, which are crucial for protecting homes in the area.
Markisch-Oderland officials confirmed that 25 beavers were “removed” from the Oder dike by hunters in recent days.
They added that the damage so far has not been severe but that they were not prepared to take any chances with heavy rain forecast.
Floods, originating in Poland, are being tracked along the Oder moving towards Brandenburg.
The state’s environment department has issued warnings in recent days about major flooding that could affect roads, buildings and rising water levels.
Beavers often dig into dikes during periods of bad weather to seek refuge, which can lead to structural damage.
Officials are hoping that the beaver cull will prevent any further weakening of the crucial dikes.
The main purpose of dikes is to prevent flooding. The structures usually run parallel to a body of water as opposed to a dam which runs across it. The main purposed of a dam is usually to store water.
The beaver population in Germany is estimated to be around 40,000 following successful reintroduction programmes for the species that began in the 1960s.