Hence, we are challenged with improving the relationship between humans and elephants in the wild and maintaining a sustainable breeding population in captivity. Studies with such focus can provide the scientific basis for sound management decisions in trying to reconcile the needs of humans and other species. Other herbivores are in less dire straits than elephants and manatees, but conflict with humans is still readily evident. At the turn of the 20th century, the North American beaver was nearly absent from the eastern United States. Before the rapid growth of humans in North America, beavers were the most influential ecosystem engineers on the continent.
Beavers modify waterways, creating wetland habitat and flooding uplands.
Beavers might have been driven to extinction by human hunting. In some cases, this creates conflict with humans. The flooding of roads and pastures or the cutting of economically valuable trees can result in the label of 'nuisance' or even 'varmint' for beavers. Again, a balance is needed between the ecological benefits of beavers and the damage suffered by humans from beaver activities. The content of personal and other unofficial home pages is not sanctioned by Georgia Southern University and does not represent official information or opinions of the University.