KNOWLEDGE BASE

Tularaemia is a disease found across Europe; outbreaks occur around once a decade in Finland and Sweden. Here, researchers reviewed the literature on this disease and the bacteria that causes it. They highlighted how the place the bacteria lives between outbreaks is as yet unknown, but may be linked to natural water sources. Beavers have been shown to have high levels of antibodies for the bacteria. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

This article reports on the death of a 5-month-old orphan beaver whilst in a rehabilitation centre. The beaver died of a disease called systemic toxoplasmosis which hadn't been reported in beavers before. The authors present technical information on how this disease affected the beaver and suggest that this disease should be considered as a risk when rehabilitating young beavers. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

This study involved radio-tracking ten pairs of Eurasian beavers to understand how their territories and patterns of movement varied between pairs and their neighbours. Beavers in pairs showed similar territory sizes and movement patterns regardless of sex. The territory for each member of the pair overlapped a lot, and overlapped very little with their neighbours. Both sexes spent equal time at the borders of their territory, although males tended to move more at night.

Researchers implanted radio transmitters in 22 adult Eurasian beavers. They tested two different anesthesia combinations. One group experienced muscle issues and sensitivity to sound while under anaesthetic. The other group, with an added drug, had better muscle relaxation and didn't react to sound. One beaver died after surgery, but all others continued to live in their original territory unaffected by the surgery.

Researchers found that beavers preferentially cut down cottonwood trees over invasive species like Russian olive and tamarisk. They focus their foraging near river channels, creating sunny areas that promote the growth of the invasive species, leading to faster growth. The researchers warn that those wishing to reintroduce beavers along these rivers in Montana, USA, should consider the potential effect on invasive plant species.