Eurasian beavers, Castor fiber, once heavily populated all of Europe and Asia. However due to overhunting for fur and castoreum, a chemical from their castor sacs, and habitat loss, populations fell nearly to extinction. By the 19th century most countries in Europe and Asia had no remaining beavers. By the 20th century an estimated 1300 beavers remained in the wild. Management efforts and reintroductions have resulted in Eurasian beaver population increases. Populations are now established in France, Germany, Poland, southern Scandinavia, and central Russia. However, populations are small and scattered throughout this area. (Long, 2003; Nolet, 2000)

 

Biogeographic Regions: Palearctic; Palearctic :: Native