The European beaver has made a remarkable comeback in France over the past century. According to the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), the species has expanded from a few survivors in the Rhône delta to a presence along 17,000 km of French waterways by 2022. In the early 20th century, only three small populations remained in Western Europe, with the Rhône delta being one of them. Historical records suggest that as few as a dozen beavers may have existed in France around 1900. While the exact number is uncertain, global estimates from that time placed the total population at about 1,200 individuals. Conservation efforts began in 1909 in Provence and were later extended nationally in 1968. Between 1950 and 2002, 26 reintroduction operations were conducted, using beavers from the Rhône region to repopulate other parts of France. One notable event occurred in 1974, when 13 beavers were released near Blois along the Loire River. This marked the beginning of their recolonization of one of France's largest rivers. At the time, there was limited knowledge about the species, including the belief that beavers from the Rhône did not build dams, which was later found to be incorrect. The resurgence of the European beaver has been dramatic. In 2009, the population was estimated at between 14,000 and 16,000 individuals, compared to 3,000 recorded in 1965. By 2022, the number had grown to over 20,000, with beavers occupying more than 18,000 km of waterways. This is more than the straight-line distance between Paris and Sydney. The OFB has been managing the Beaver Network since 1987, which involves various conservation groups and organizations that monitor beaver activity across rivers, marshes, and ponds. In 2023, over 33,000 km of rivers were surveyed, nearly double the previous year's coverage. Despite their ecological importance, beavers can cause issues such as tree felling, crop damage, and flooding. The OFB works to mediate these conflicts, especially in regions like the Center-Val de Loire, where beavers are widespread. Each beaver family, consisting of 2 to 6 individuals, typically occupies 0.5 to 3 km of waterway. They require a gentle river slope and constant access to water and riparian vegetation, which is why they are less common in steep river basins. Researchers note that while beavers are reshaping waterways, the ecological benefits can vary by location and need to be assessed individually.