New data on the expansion of the European beaver (Castor fiber) on the left bank of the Middle Dnister

Abstract

Literature and previously unpublished data on the process of recent distribution of the European beaver on the left bank of the Middle Dnister are analysed, including the area of Dnister Canyon National Nature Park. The data show the current distribution of the beaver’s range in the left bank area of the Middle Dnister. It is shown that the beaver’s settlement in the valley of the Middle Dnister at the beginning of the 21st century took place from the upper course downstream at a pace of about 30 kilometres per year. In recent years, there has been an expansion of beavers to the north along the Podolian (i.e., left bank) tributaries of the Dnister river.