What Hoppers got dam right about beavers

image via New Scientist

March 13, 2026, 4:00 PM

• •Real-world beaver research involves drones and game cameras, not just robots.
• •Beavers are keystone species that create wetlands.
• •Beaver oils (castoreum) were once used as vanilla flavoring.
• •Beavers are resilient to climate change, but face challenges in thawing Arctic permafrost.

Emily Fairfax, an ecohydrology expert, discusses the real-world study of beavers, comparing it to the film 'Hoppers,' which features scientists using robots and animal disguises. Fairfax explains how beavers, as keystone species, create wetlands and the challenges they face in a changing climate. The article also covers the accuracy of beaver depictions in the film, including the use of castoreum, or beaver oil, for flavoring. Fairfax emphasizes the importance of understanding beavers and their impact on the environment and how climate change is affecting them.

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