Beaver Overload Dutch Dikes Under Threat as Beaver Populations Boom in the Netherlands

Once extinct in the Netherlands, beavers have made a triumphant return since their reintroduction in 1988. Now boasting a population exceeding 7,000, these industrious creatures are unfortunately causing some serious headaches for the Dutch.

The problem? Beavers are digging extensive burrow systems and tunnels, not just under roads and railways, but alarmingly, within the country's vital dike systems. Given that a quarter of the Netherlands sits below sea level, the structural integrity of these dikes is paramount. Jelmer Krom of the Rivierenland water board reports finding tunnels stretching up to 17 metres into dikes, raising concerns about potential collapses and devastating floods.

Mapping these underwater entrances and beaver activity proves challenging. While thermal-imaging cameras are used during high water, they aren't always effective. Furthermore, beavers are a protected species, making it difficult to remove or relocate problematic individuals, as they often return to their original habitat. Current mitigation strategies include reinforcing dikes with mesh and removing willow thickets along riverbanks to deter beavers from settling in those areas.

Fuente Original: https://slashdot.org/story/25/08/30/0652254/no-longer-extinct-beaver-populations-in-the-netherlands-now-threaten-their-dikes?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed

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