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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Guardian staff and agencies

California shores up beaver protection in nod to their ‘ecological benefit’

The beaver population in North America used to number up to 200 million; now there are only as many as 15 million.
The beaver population in North America used to number up to 200 million; now there are only as many as 15 million. Photograph: Danita Delimont/Alamy

California is embracing beavers and the role they play in the ecosystem after years of viewing the animals as a nuisance for chewing down trees and blocking up streams.

The state recently enacted a new policy that encourages landowners and agencies dealing with beaver damage to find alternative solutions before seeking permission from authorities to kill the animals. California is also running pilot projects to relocate beavers to places where they can be more beneficial.

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