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International Beaver day is celebrated on April 7th of every year. The beaver is a large, primarily nocturnal, semi-aquatic rodent. Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and homes. Their colonies create one or more barriers to provide still, deep water to protect against predators and to float food and building material. The beaver population in North America was once more than 60 million, but as of 1988, it was 6–12 million. The population decline was mainly due to hunting for fur, for glands which are used as medicine, clothing, top hats, and perfume. Native peoples and early settlers also ate this animal’s meat. This day must be created to save the hunting of beavers because this species can help solve major environmental problems, by building dams beavers restore the land’s most valuable ecosystem, wetlands. They also provide essential services like water cleansing, moderating the flow of streams, and climate regulation.
“They might in the future more than ever before engage in hunting beavers.” – Samuel de Champlain
History of International Beaver Day
International Beaver Day was started to be celebrated in 2009 by Beavers Wetlands & Wildlife. Beavers Wetlands & Wildlife chose this day to observe beavers because it is the birthday of Dorothy Richards (1894 -1985), who vastly studied these animals for 50 years. It is to spread the importance of coexisting with this species for a healthy environment. As beavers were wiped out, the majority of wetlands were drained, and waterways became disconnected from their floodplains. Rivers became more like canals or sewers, leading to today’s problems with water pollution, erosion, and rapidly increasing damage from regional floods and droughts.
Other Celebrations on April 7
April 7 is also celebrated as
How to Celebrate International Beaver Day
International Beaver Day can be observed by spreading your knowledge about the animal and also by learning about the contribution made by them to the environment. On this day, one goes for the hike to the beaver pond, arranges for a books display, and importantly raises awareness about the animal. Beavers Wetlands & Wildlife observes the day by donating nearly a thousand copies of the “Teachers Edition” of their popular “Coexisting with Beavers” DVD to schools and other institutions. Post pictures and share thoughts about International Beaver Day by using the hashtag #BeaverDay.
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