Beavers are a protected species in Germany. The animals have spread across the country, especially in Bavaria, with territories often located in waterways along railtracks. To protect their habitats while maintaining operational safety, DB InfraGO has established a preventive beaver management system in the southern regional area.

One step ahead of the beaver 

This is where DB’s Beaver Manager comes in – a state-certified beaver expert. He ensures that the animals do not enlarge their dams too far at the expense of our embankments, which could endanger train operations. For example, between Buchloe and Memmingen, a so-called “canister chain” was installed in a stream where a beaver intended to build a dam. The filled canisters reduce water flow and prevent the beaver from further extending the dam. This secures the railway embankment while preserving the beaver’s habitat.

Together with the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, DB InfraGO is exploring additional ways to sustainably protect the rodents’ habitats along the tracks in a research project.

DB’s beaver officer, Michael Schmitt, in action 

Underwater-access dwelling 

At the Landshut railway line, a pilot project established Germany’s first artificial beaver lodge near the Weiherbach. The earth structure consists of concrete pipes with an underwater entrance and a ventilation shaft. It is intended to provide a future home for the animals and prevent them from loosening the soil near the tracks.