The European Beaver (Castor fiber) was hunted almost to extinction in Europe, both for fur, and for castoreum , a secretion of its scent gland believed to have medicinal properties. However the beaver is now being re-introduced throughout Europe. Several thousands live on the Elbe, the Rhone and in parts of Scandinavia. They have been reintroduced in Bavaria and The Netherlands and are tending to spread to new locations. The beaver became extinct in Britain in the sixteenth century, but there are proposals, and a great deal of interest, in reintroducing the European Beaver to Scotland.

External link

• A website about reintroducing the beaver to Scotland