California brought back beavers for the first time in 70 years, and the results are already amazing

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife translocated 28 beavers to Sierra Nevada watersheds between October 2023 and September 2024, partnering with the Tule River Tribe and Maidu Summit Consortium. The beavers have produced two litters, built dams at three release sites, and at one location increased surface water area by approximately 23% while reconnecting streams with their floodplains and expanding wetland habitat in a fire-burned valley.

Estimated beaver survival is 40–60%, with mortality primarily from predation and capture-related stress.