Beavers make a comeback in Paris
BEAVERS are making a comeback in Ile-de-France with traces found in Essonne and Seine-et-Marne.
The Office Natio
nal de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage said the Eurasian beaver, Europe’s biggest rodent, had not been seen in the Paris area since the 19th century. River protection officers had spotted several trees that had been chopped down by beavers which had left the characteristic ‘pencil’ point stump.
The ONCFS said in August that a survey last year had showed that beavers were present in 51 departments in France, mostly in the east and centre, and the new discovery brings the total to 53.
Paul Hurel, the regional officer in charge of the ONCFS survey, said there were about 20,000 across the country and they would be following up the new finds.
Well, can I just say its about dam time! I can’t think of anything more romantic than watching a beaver couple swim down the seine. Beavers deserve a little culture and fine grape vines as much as anyone.
