Beaver spotted in Danish fjord for first time in recent history

A beaver and its offspring were recently observed swimming in Odense Fjord, a notable event as it's the first such sighting in the area in recent memory. The encounter was captured on video by a woman bathing in the fjord, according to Fjord&Bælt director Heiko Buch-Illing.

Beavers are a protected species in both Denmark and the European Union. These animals originally inhabited Denmark after the last Ice Age, approximately 12,000 years ago. However, they became extinct in the country due to hunting and habitat loss.

The reintroduction of beavers began in 1999 when 18 individuals captured in Germany were released in Klosterheden, West Jutland. The population has since grown and spread across the country. Further releases of 14 beavers occurred in Nordsjælland in 2009 and 2010. While the exact current population is unknown, the Danish Nature Agency estimated in 2024 that there are around 350 beavers in Denmark.

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We have received a video taken by a woman who was out swimming in Odense Fjord. She saw a beaver mother with her young.