Beavers are doing particularly well in our most easterly province, Limburg. Last year, 106 beaver families were sighted in the province. That is an increase of 25 percent compared to 2023. Now is the ideal time to spot beavers, because you are more likely to encounter them in the summer. ‘It is best to admire the animals from a distance and let them do their work in peace,’ explains Frank Huysentruyt, researcher at INBO, the Institute for Nature and Forestry Research.
Today a quarter of all Flemish beavers live out east
"In 2024, around 400 beaver families were counted across Flanders. 106 of these beaver families occurred in Limburg. This means that over 1 in 4 beavers today lives out east. Their number is significant, but there is certainly room for more beavers, because there are also places where they are hardly found at all."
In Limburg, most beavers are found along the River Maas. ‘Mainly, they originate from the Maas and Scheldt river basins, where they were released years ago. There are virtually no beavers in the Haspengouw region because the habitat there is less suitable. Beavers need water surrounded by woody vegetation, which is less common in Haspengouw,’ explains Huysentruyt.
Beavers are more active during the summer
If you want to spot a beaver yourself, your best chance of encountering one is during the summer months.
"The animals prefer to be active at dusk, so late in the evening or early in the morning. In the summer, it stays light longer and twilight lasts longer too. That's why you're much more likely to encounter a beaver during your walk. In addition, the breeding season has just ended. The young born in May are now old enough to come outside. So there are more beavers and more hours during which you can encounter them."
If you spot a beaver, it is best to leave the animal alone. ‘Beavers will let you know if they are being disturbed. Beavers may let you come up close, but do not touch them. And definitely do not touch the dams they build. It is best to admire the animals from a distance and let them do their work in peace,’ says Huysentruyt.
A nuisance at times
Although beavers are good for biodiversity, they also cause a lot of trouble for the local authorities. In Genk, for example, beavers have been active in the Heem Park for quite some time. Last year, they built a dam, causing the water to rise rapidly.
‘Beavers may cause damage, but solutions must be sought so that the beavers can remain there. The animals have a very positive effect on our natural environment. That is why it is important that we remove as few beavers as possible. Removing the dam is the last thing we want to do. That will only happen if there is no other solution,’ explains Huysentruyt.