This was an interesting interview. I’d be very surprised indeed to learn that beavers don’t build dams do so for any reason than they don’t need to because there’s enough water already or their aren’t materials available. Dams help kits stay safe, But they aren’t possible everywhere. Beavers work hard but they usually don’t waste effort uselessly.
Humans have been relocating beavers for a century. We are only now learning some of the effects.
When we think of beavers many of us think of the dams they build, but along the Oregon coast, some just aren’t doing that. Little research has been done to explain why, but it is a part of a larger story of relocation and reintroduction of Oregon’s state animal. Beavers have a long history within the United States, and over the years, the animals have been extensively relocated. They’ve been moved by bus, train and even parachuted out of planes from Wyoming to New York. Oregon State University’s Dr. Clint Epps and Vanessa Petro wanted to know what genetic effect all that relocation has had on these large rodents. They join us to share the results from their latest study on coastal beavers.
