Beaver, Old World (Castor fiber; Ukrainian: bobr.) A large aquatic rodent, up to 1.2 m in length and 30 kg in weight. It is prized for its fur. In historical times the beaver was widespread in Ukraine, even far to the south. In the Princely era its fur was in high demand in Western Europe and served as a medium of exchange. The princes set up special beaver reserves for hunting. The species was threatened with extinction and is now under strict protection. The beaver now thrives on reserves in Polisia near Pynsk; on the Ovruch River, Uzh River (-17588L-->Kyiv region), Brahynka River, Horyn River, Teteriv River, and Desna River; and in the Liubech region of Chernihiv oblast. In 1924 the Canadian beaver (C. canadensis) was acclimatized on the Styr River near Lutsk.

[This article originally appeared in the Encyclopedia of Ukraine, vol. 1 (1984).]