"Beavers Could Help California Fight Effects of Drought"

"LOS GATOS, Calif. — Three punishing years of drought have parched California streams, rivers and wetlands. One animal has the potential to restore these dry landscapes.

With their industrial-strength buck teeth and flat tails, beavers and their dams offer a defense against drought. The rodents are known as ecosystem engineers. And they once populated most of California until fur traders nearly wiped them out in the 19th century."

Samantha Clark reports for the Santa Cruz Sentinel December 21, 2014.