They are heading south – new data from the distribution of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) in Bulgaria
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Date
2025-05-18
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski"
Abstract
We report on a case of a wild specimen of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) that was detected south of the city of Razgrad (North East Bulgaria). To date, this is the southernmost area on the River Beli Lom, where the newly established Bulgarian beaver population has been registered. One young adult female specimen was rescued from a shaft in the spring of 2025. The specimen was palpated and inspected via X-ray for sexing, and full blood tests were performed. The female beaver was in general good condition. The river section, where the animal was captured, was observed in detail for signs of habitation of beavers and a number of gnawed trees were found. We recorded both newly impacted stems, as well as much older tooth marks (probably one or more years back in time). The investigated spot represents a bio-corridor for the beavers, as more gnawed trees were detected further south on the stream of Beli Lom River. We propose that the Bulgarian beaver population may reach the watershed of Kamchia River and in the near future, the beavers may cross the lower Eastern Balkan ridges and will expand into southern Bulgaria.
Description
Keywords
distribution, zoogeography, radiation, Rodent, ecology, bio-corridor