2012 came with great news! Rangers of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration reported to have spotted a beaver nest in the Somova-Parches lakes complex. This indicates the beaver’s presence, despite the fact that the animals are too shy to be seen, especially in winter. The experts reported the number of beavers to be currently unknown, but their nest will be constantly monitored.
The European Beaver disappeared from Romania a long time ago, around 1823. The last ones were seen in the Caraș-Severin area, in the South-Western part of the country. Nevertheless, the beaver is well embedded in the Romanian history and toponymy; many villages have their names related to the beaver.
In 1989, The Ministry of Environment made all the efforts to reintroduce this iconic specie. 21 beavers were first brought from Germany (Bavarian region) and released in the rivers near Brașov County (central Romania). More beavers were released later on in Olt, Mureș and Ialomița rivers. In 2011, the number of beavers reached 270.
In the same year, the beaver was reported to have been seen on two separate occasions in the Danube Delta, on Draghilea channel and around Maliuc village area. Unfortunately, the animals were dead on both regions, killed probably by poachers or boats propellers.
This last report of the authorities is very important and gives hope to conservationists to bring back this species in the Danube Delta. The presence of the beaver was anticipated in the area. In order to inform people about the importance of the species, a manual on Beaver Management in the Danube River basin have been produced within the DANUBEPARKS South-East Europe project, implemented by the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration.