- Fur trade: Beaver pelts have been used by humans for centuries to make clothing, hats, and other items. The demand for beaver pelts has led to extensive trapping and hunting of beavers, particularly in North America.
- Conflict with human activities: Beavers can cause flooding and damage to property by building dams and burrowing into banks. This can lead to conflicts with humans in areas where beavers and people live in close proximity. For example, beavers can sometimes block culverts and drainage ditches, leading to localized flooding. They have been known to chew through electrical cables, causing power outages.
- Competition with humans: Beavers can also compete with humans for food and resources, such as water, vegetation, and land. This conflict can lead to persecution of beavers in areas where they are perceived to be a threat to human interests.
- Cultural beliefs and practices: In some cultures, beavers are considered to be pests or harmful creatures, and may be killed as a result of these beliefs.