A joint petition launched by BUND and NABU to protect the beaver population in Baden-Württemberg and oppose a new state regulation allowing for easier culling of the animals has already garnered over 3,500 signatures within one week, representing more than a third of the 10,000 signatures needed for the petition to be formally considered by the state parliament.
The petition aims to overturn the recently published Biber-Verordnung (beaver regulation), which was approved by the state government on January 20th. Both environmental organizations argue the regulation represents an unnecessary setback that jeopardizes effective beaver management in the state, creates legal uncertainty, and does not reduce bureaucracy, but merely shifts it to lower authorities.
Sylvia Pilarsky-Grosch, state chairwoman of BUND Baden-Württemberg, stated, “With your support, citizens can send a strong signal during the current state election campaign that nature and species protection should not be sacrificed for superficial solutions aimed at reducing bureaucracy. Both the economy and society depend on the preservation of our natural resources. The beaver is an ally in this effort. Its building activities create ecologically valuable areas at no cost. We should view the beaver as an opportunity in the fight against species extinction and the climate crisis, rather than focusing on a few conflicts for which established solutions already exist.”
Johannes Enssle, state chairman of NABU Baden-Württemberg, added, “The regulation complicates the work of volunteer beaver advisors because it promises quick fixes through seemingly simple culling. In reality, however, the regulation does not create sustainable solutions, but new legal uncertainties. This does not reduce bureaucracy, but increases it. Please support our petition now to protect the beaver in Baden-Württemberg so that the beaver can retain its right to life in our waters.”
BUND and NABU have outlined several key criticisms of the Biber-Verordnung. They contend there is no documented evidence within the state that culling a beaver has provided a long-term solution to any conflict, as territories are quickly reoccupied. The organizations also argue the regulation does not reduce bureaucracy, but instead transfers it to lower authorities, creating legal challenges.
The groups further assert that the regulation undermines established beaver management practices, which rely on long-term solutions. They claim the ease of culling undermines the work of volunteer beaver advisors and may discourage their continued engagement. The environmental organizations also highlight the beaver’s crucial role as a keystone species, positively impacting water ecology, biodiversity, and climate protection, arguing that jeopardizing these benefits is irresponsible.
A significant concern raised by both organizations is the lack of legal clarity within the regulation, potentially leading to legal challenges. They point to a similar regulation in Bavaria that was halted by the local administrative court, resulting in increased bureaucratic hurdles.
BUND and NABU are calling on the state government to abandon the new regulation and instead focus on sustainable solutions. These include strengthening natural waterways and floodplains, preventing construction and intensive land use near riverbanks, bolstering the existing beaver management system with increased personnel and funding, and consistently applying established methods such as tree protection and habitat exchange. They emphasize the need to recognize the beaver as a native species and acknowledge its positive contributions to ecosystem restoration.
The state government maintains the regulation is intended to streamline conflict resolution involving infrastructure and agricultural land, citing an estimated beaver population of 12,400 across the state. Previously, culling required individual exemptions, as the species is protected under both federal and European law. The government argues the new regulation will allow for more efficient intervention in cases of conflict.
