Beavers – reducing pollution?
by Chris, 10 August, 2017, 0 comments
Once upon a time, beavers (Castor fiber) were widespread in the U.K, however, there are few records after the 11th century and by the sixteenth century they were extinct . They are still to be found in Europe; several thousand live on or near the Elbe and the Rhône, and in parts of Scandinavia.
They were hunted to extinction as the animal provided meat, fur and ‘medicine’. The yellow secretion of their anal glands (castoreum) was used, at one time, as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. The Romans thought that the fumes from burning castoreum could induce an abortion. Medical uses are no longer ‘in vogue’ but castoreum is used in the making of certain perfumes. Read more...
