Is their population increasing or decreasing? What can be done to protect this mammal considered endangered in Mexico?
The distribution of the American beaver species is wider than previously thought.
This species of rodent, which can weigh up to 40 kilos, was considered to inhabit the Rio Grande and surrounding areas in northeastern Mexico.
However, citizen science observations have expanded records southward into the Sierra Madre Occidental, including the urban area of Monterrey, Nuevo León.
The unmistakable traces of their webbed paws and the trees cut with their powerful teeth are evidence of the presence of this industrious animal.
Some species of animals leave unmistakable traces that fortunately reveal their presence when they leave their footprints. For example, the opossum is given away by its opposable thumb on its hind foot, the raccoon’s paws look like a child’s hands, and the beaver’s webbed toes are easy to spot.
Beavers are also tireless dam builders, and their tracks on cut trees are also easy to identify.
The American beaver has been recorded in the Santa Catarina River and the La Silla River that run through the large city of Monterrey. Twenty-three observers have helped extend the distribution of this rodent mammal throughout the state of Nuevo León.
A third of the observations have been recent (2024), but there have been images of beavers in Monterrey since 2009.
Beavers have been called “ecosystem engineers” for their ability to modify their environment to meet their ecological needs.
By building dams, beavers create wetlands, retain sediments, nutrients, produce habitat for flora and fauna, reduce the speed of water flow, improving the hydrological conditions of rivers.
European beavers have been reintroduced after a long history of extermination.
Similarly, in the state of California, United States, in 2023 the reintroduction of American beavers began.
In the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, with more than 5,000 species recorded to date, traces of beaver have been observed.
This protected area has biological wealth, in addition to providing a large number of benefits to the City of Monterrey.
Source: Aristegui Noticias
