Naust Eco Station

Watching otters and beavers

In Naliboki Forest we have probably the most dense population of the Eurasian beaver in Europe, as the species have populated not only rivers, but the dense canal network that appeared after the draining of the lowland forest in the 1960s-1970s. Therefore, beaver construction activity is really huge there.

For instance, in Naliboki Forest and its surroundings on the area about 2700 km2 there are about 4 thousands beaver ponds and about 3 thousands marsh plots on the places of former beaver ponds. Around the field station on the area only one km2 there are 7 beaver settlements.

So, this place is a real beaverland that is changed by the species. All these is very interesting to see. There is no doubt that guests may see beavers themselves. Watching for beavers may be effectively combined with watching otters that are common nowadays in the terrain. Also, to take pictures of beavers and otters, trail cameras may be successfully used.   

During such a trip we move by both kayaks and cars as well as on foot.