City officials acknowledge the occurrence of beaver-induced seismic activity in Braunschweig

In the city of Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, the return of the beaver has been seen as a positive sign for river renaturation. The once extinct beaver population in the region is making a comeback, with colonies found in the Schunter and Oker rivers.

The city of Braunschweig has been supportive of the efforts to manage these beaver populations, and no reported damages or problem situations related to beavers have been documented as of yet. This positive trend is attributed to the increased river permeability that beavers help create through their dam-building activities.

Environment Minister Christian Meyer considers the beaver to be an "enrichment for the waters of Lower Saxony." In 2019, there were 229 beaver lodges and around 500 animals counted in Lower Saxony. The beaver's spread is not limited to Braunschweig, as they are also found along the Elbe, Ems, Leine, Aller, and Oker rivers.

However, beavers can sometimes cause issues, particularly in terms of infrastructure and flood protection. To address these potential problems, Environment Minister Christian Meyer recently presented a guide for beaver management, and the state's environment ministry plans to set up a central advisory service for beaver management.

The city of Braunschweig is not currently affected by beaver-related relocations. A contact point for citizens regarding beaver-related issues is being considered to ensure a smooth and effective management of the beaver population.

The Lower Nature Conservation Authority would assess any potential problems that may arise in Braunschweig, such as regarding flood protection, and propose suitable solutions. The general expansion of beaver populations in Lower Saxony and regional nature conservation activities suggest ongoing natural development and the likely presence of challenges related to infrastructure and flood protection that are being addressed locally.

Despite the potential issues, the return of the beaver in Braunschweig is also seen as a positive sign due to the benefits they bring to the ecosystem. Beavers help create new habitats, promote water retention, and support renaturation efforts. The city of Braunschweig accepts the presence of beavers and views them as a valuable addition to the local ecosystem.