Beaver spotted in Funen waters for first time

A woman filmed a beaver swimming in Odense Fjord near Munkebo on Funen over the weekend, in what researchers say is the first recorded sighting of the animal on the island, DR reports.

The beaver swam calmly near the old Lindø shipyard and allowed the woman to photograph and film it. She also said she saw a young beaver beside it, although the young animal cannot be seen in the video.

Thomas Bjørneboe Berg, a senior researcher at Naturama, described the sighting as unusual and said it would be exciting if the beaver came ashore.

Heiko Buch-Illing, director of Fjord and Bælt in Kerteminde, said the appearance was not entirely unexpected because beavers are already found in Zealand and Jutland.

Beavers and otters, which have previously been seen in Odense Fjord, are protected in Denmark and the European Union.

Bjørneboe Berg said a beaver population could benefit Funen’s natural environment by creating wetlands that provide habitats for other species. However, he stressed that one animal is not enough to establish that beavers have officially arrived on Funen.

The woman does not want to be identified. DR has permission to use her photographs and video.