ORDER RODENTIA: RODENTS 197 



By 1931, as a result of state protection, the numbers on the Nidelf 

 River had increased to 12,000 (Kriiger, 1931, p. 53). 



A limited amount of hunting is now allowed. During late years 

 Beavers have been transplanted to the northern parts of the country, 

 where they seem to thrive well. In some districts the farmers com- 

 plain of damage to the forests by the Beavers. (Hj. Broch, in litt., 

 December, 1936.) 



Sweden. The Beaver was formerly distributed all over the 

 country, but gradually it became extinct. The last specimen in 

 Smolandia was probably killed about 1800; that in Jemtland prob- 

 ably about 1870. It was the value of the fur and the castor that 

 caused its extermination. Beavers of the same race from Norway 

 were first introduced in Jemtland in 1922, in Westerbotten in 1924, 

 and in Wermland in 1925. These have all increased, and the number 

 in Jemtland is now estimated at several hundred. There have also 

 been introductions in other provinces, and further trials of this kind 

 are planned. The animal is now very popular in Sweden, and its 

 future appears to be rather promising, especially since it is protected 

 throughout the year. (Einar Lonnberg, in litt., 1937.) 



Latvia. In former times the Beaver was found on many of the 

 smaller rivers, but owing to excessive hunting it was exterminated 

 about 1870. In 1927 the Government introduced four Norwegian 

 Beavers in the State Forest of Kurland, and in 1936 two others in 

 Smiltene in Livland. They have now increased in number to about 

 40. Hunting is forbidden. (Forest Department of Latvia, in litt., 

 March, 1937.) 



Lithuania. The species is probably exterminated. Since the 

 World War two specimens have been illegally captured: one in 1921 

 on the Dubisa, and one in 1935 on the Nemunas. Hunting is for- 

 bidden. Reintroduction from neighboring countries is desirable. (T. 

 Ivanauskas, in litt., November, 1936.) 



Poland. Game protective measures were instituted as early as 

 the beginning of the eleventh century, when Boleslaus I the Great 

 proclaimed an act for the protection of the Beaver (Benedyct Ful- 

 inski, MS., 1933) . 



In ancient times and perhaps even in the seventeenth century 

 the Beaver was quite common in all Poland. Owing to the reduction 

 of forest areas and especially to the regulation of rivers, it retired 

 to the eastern and northeastern parts of Poland, where it is still 

 found. (M. Siedlecki, in litt., October, 1936.) 



Three preserves in the state forests, aggregating 684 hectares, are 

 sanctuaries for Beavers. Another, the Bucharzewo Preserve, of about 

 5 hectares, contains Canadian Beavers. (Benedyct Fulinski, MS., 

 1933.) 



