Bobry i ludzie – wspólne oddziaływanie w środowisku historycznym i przyrodniczym Warmii i Mazur

The article discusses the natural and environmental relationships between people and beavers in the former Prussia (present Warmia and Masuria) from the earliest periods to the present day. It characterises the natural habitat of the beaver which belongs to the largest rodents of Eurasia. Otokar Rudke – the forest district man- ager from Kudypy near Olsztyn – played a very important role in the development and management of the beaver reserve on the Pasłęka river after the World War II. The documents handed over by his heirs as well as those found in the archives of the Directorate of State Forests and the Institute of National Remembrance, allowed to present this ouststanding personality’s biography and his role in the protection of beavers. The end of the article points out the current number of beavers in Warmia and Masuria region and damages resulting from their existence. This text can be used for comparative studies in other Polish regions and Europe.