Beaver in Gauting: Family fights for their apple trees!

Beaver in Gauting: Family fights for their apple trees!

In Gauting, where the Würm gently ripples, an animal thieves are causing a stir. The Klepzig family, based right on the bank, has recently been confronted with a persistent problem: a beaver has targeted their six-year-old apple tree and even cut it down. The tree, which only bore fruit for the first time this year, was a very special plant for the Klepzigs.

Although a 50 cm high wire mesh barrier was erected, this did not appear to be an obstacle for the beaver. After his nightly “incursions”, the rodent continued to pull branches of the apple tree towards the river. “We have been looking for solutions on the Internet, but so far there has been no success,” explains Regine Klepzig, frustrated. The family also fears that the beaver could fell more valuable trees in the future, including two proud 17 meter high walnut trees.

Back to nature and its challenges

The Klepzigs' first encounter with a beaver was in January 2023, when one was rescued from their pool and released back into the Würm. Christian Jorda, the beaver representative for Gauting, has already given tips on how the family could protect their remains: “Pull up the wire mesh at least one meter and place the stakes 30 cm apart,” he recommends, as the beaver population in the area is noticeably increasing.

The emerging problem is not an isolated case. In Germany and especially in Bavaria, conflicts between humans and beavers have increased due to the increasing population. As the website Wildlife Protection Germany explains, beavers are not only known for their remarkable construction skills, but their behavior also brings with them challenges that are particularly noticeable in agricultural regions. The felling of trees, the eating of crops and the construction of dams often lead to a collision between the habitats of humans and animals.

The beaver as part of the ecosystem

While different strategies for dealing with beavers are pursued in different regions of Germany, a silent agreement shows that beavers should not only be dealt with by killing them. Many experts, such as the regional association of BUND, reject this approach and would like more sustainable solutions. Preventative measures such as fences or special paints to protect the trees are some approaches that are already being discussed.

In the Tübingen administrative district, for example, the number of beaver dens and populations has increased massively in recent years. From just 100 beavers in 2009 to an estimated 5,100 beavers today – the changes in nature are visible. This is also what he reports South Courier. During excursions, nature park rangers show how important beaver dams are during heavy rain events, as they help to avoid flooding.

Coexistence between humans and animals is an ongoing race, and it remains exciting to see how the Klepzigs and many others will be affected by the burgeoning beavers. Either way, the discussion about how to deal with these fascinating rodents is open - and it should not only take place in the back rooms of the authorities, but also in the everyday lives of the people who are directly affected.