In the aftermath of devastating floods across Poland and Central Europe, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has declared an unexpected culprit: beavers.

Tusk, speaking during a crisis management meeting in Głogów, blamed the industrious rodents for exacerbating the damage caused by heavy rains and called for swift action to remove them from key flood management areas.

“Sometimes you have to choose between love for animals and the safety of cities, villages, and the stability of dikes,” Tusk said, urging local officials to prioritize infrastructure over wildlife conservation.

As Politico reports, this rhetoric is not new, but it has gained renewed attention as beaver-related concerns resurface in the wake of severe weather events.

Floods Ravage Central Europe

The flooding that struck Poland in mid-September has been described as the worst in two decades. More than 23 people have been killed, and entire towns have been submerged. Roads were cut off, homes were destroyed, and emergency services were stretched thin, The Daily Caller reports. While natural forces are clearly to blame, Tusk’s comments have placed beavers in the spotlight, accusing the animals of damaging levees and increasing flood risks by creating their own dams.

These floods have not been limited to Poland. Neighboring countries, including Romania, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, have faced similar devastation. The prime minister’s remarks echo broader concerns across the region, where wildlife has increasingly been blamed for infrastructure vulnerabilities.

The Science Behind the Blame

Beavers, known for building dams to protect their habitats, have been accused of weakening levees by burrowing into riverbanks. According to Tusk, this behavior exacerbates flood damage.

However, experts disagree with the prime minister's assessment. Andrzej Czech, an environmental biologist and beaver expert, criticized the government’s stance as politically motivated. Czech stated that only a small percentage of beaver habitats cause issues and that the animals play an important role in water management by creating wetlands that absorb excess rainwater.

“This is nonsense,” he told Politico, emphasizing that beavers actually help mitigate the effects of floods rather than cause them.

Political Underpinnings of the Conflict

The timing of Tusk's comments has raised eyebrows. Some observers suggest that the focus on beavers is a distraction from deeper structural issues in Poland’s flood management systems. Critics, including the opposition party, have questioned why more wasn’t done to prepare for the floods, especially since meteorological agencies had issued warnings days before the disaster struck, according to the Brussels Signal.

Furthermore, the political power of Poland’s farmers and hunters cannot be ignored. Beavers are often seen as pests by farmers, who claim the animals damage crops and fields by altering water flows, The Daily Caller reports. Hunters, too, have an interest in controlling beaver populations, hoping to gain public favor and government support. This has led to speculation that Tusk's stance on beavers is, in part, an effort to win political favor from these influential groups.

Environmentalists Call for Alternative Solutions

Environmentalists argue that culling beavers is not the answer. They point to the benefits beavers provide by slowing river flows and creating wetlands, which reduce flood risks. Gerhard Schwab, a Bavarian wildlife manager known for his efforts to reintroduce beavers across Europe, has advocated for non-lethal solutions, Politico reports. Schwab recommends protecting levees with mesh wire and using gravel-based embankments to prevent burrowing, instead of killing the animals.

“The problem is not the beavers themselves, but the lack of proper flood management,” Schwab told Politico, adding that better infrastructure could mitigate damage without harming wildlife.

Looking Ahead

As Poland grapples with the aftermath of these devastating floods, the debate over how to manage its wildlife continues. Tusk’s comments have ignited a national conversation about the role of animals in flood management and the effectiveness of Poland’s infrastructure. While some support the prime minister's call for immediate action, many others believe that a more nuanced approach is needed—one that protects both people and animals.

For now, Poland’s beaver population remains a focal point in a much larger discussion about environmental policy, wildlife conservation, and the long-term strategies necessary to prevent future flooding disasters.

Click below to take action for beavers and send a message to Poland’s prime minister that wanton disregard for wildlife will not be tolerated!