Beaver is widespread in Russia. It lives in the forest and forest-steppe zones of the European part of Russia, in the Northern Trans-Urals. They also live in the upper reaches of the Yenisei, Kuzbass, Baikal Region, Khabarovsk Territory, Kamchatka, regions of Siberia and the Altai Territory. The number of beaver in Russia is estimated at about 730 thousand individuals. Most of these animals now live in the Central and Volga Federal Districts. In Moscow, you can see beavers not far from the famous writer's village of Peredelkino. A whole family of beavers lives on the Alyoshinka River. They willingly accept treats from people, and especially like carrots.
Beavers have long been hunted for their beautiful and durable fur. In addition to valuable furs, they produce a beaver jet used in perfumery and medicine. About a thousand years ago, an organized beaver fishery developed in Eastern Europe (in Russia, Poland and Lithuania). The people involved in this case were called "Bobrovniki". In the 16th century in Russia, the cost of beaver fur was even estimated higher than sable fur. In pre-revolutionary Russia, beaver fur was considered suitable for making fur coats, the undercoat was used for hats and women's fur clothing. The darker the color of the fur, the more expensive it was considered.
As a result of this fishery, the beaver was on the verge of extinction in Russia. By 1917, beavers remained in Russia only in 4 isolated territories. The total number of beavers did not exceed 800-900 heads. Since 1922, hunting for them has been universally prohibited. In 1923, the Voronezh State Nature Reserve was organized along the Usman River in the Voronezh Region. At the same time, two more reserves were created: Berezinsky and Kondo-Sosvinsky. Their main task was to protect the beavers and restore their numbers.
After that, the preserved beaver population began to be propagated and settled in various regions of Russia. As a result of the measures taken, by the end of the 1960s, the beaver in the USSR inhabited an area almost equal in area to the area of the XVII century.
In Russia, there is even a city named after this animal – the city Bobrov. This particular beast is depicted on the coat of arms of the city. In general, the beaver is often used in heraldry. For example, the beaver is depicted on the coats of arms of the Moscow districts of Bibirevo, and Khoroshevo-Mnevniki, as well as the cities of Donskoy (Tula region) and Iskitim (Novosibirsk region)
