17 April 2026
As part of the research work of the Institute for Nature Protection of Kosovo, in cooperation with university professor Halil Ibrahimi, as well as wildlife photographers and activists Arian Mavriqi and Lulzim Demaj, a study dedicated to the Eurasian beaver is being conducted. The study combines scientific expertise with professional field documentation, with the aim of assessing its presence and distribution across the territory of Kosovo. Given that this species has not been reported in the country for a long period of time, each new record represents a development of particular scientific interest.
The photographs obtained so far are considered an initial indicator and preliminary evidence, requiring further verification through structured field research. In this regard, the research activities focus on identifying characteristic signs of the beaver’s presence, such as typical gnawing marks on trees, dam construction, and other traces of its activity. The use of camera traps, combined with direct observations, represents an important methodological approach for confirming the presence of this species.
From an ecological perspective, the beaver is considered a species with a significant impact on aquatic and riparian habitats. Its building activities influence habitat structure, regulate the hydrological regime, and create more favorable conditions for many other organisms, thereby increasing the complexity and biodiversity of ecosystems.
This research aims to determine whether the presence of the beaver in Kosovo represents a stable population or is related to the movement of individuals from neighboring countries, where reintroduction programs for this species have been implemented. In this context, the study is particularly important for guiding conservation policies and the sustainable management of aquatic habitats in the country.
The research will continue in the future, with the aim of gradually consolidating the data and establishing a solid basis for assessing the status of this species in Kosovo.