With the exclusive support of OBI, and in the presence of Prince Philip, WWF Hungary launched the first successful Hungarian mammal reestablishment program in 1996. The primary objective has been to reestablish the once thriving, but extinct for over 100 years, beaver population to Hungary, as well as to protect the flood land life communities. As during the years the beaver population became natural in Hungary, the last step in the beaver reintroduction took place at Tiszatarján is October 2008 with the letting free of 14 beavers captured earlier in Germany. With this step the number of reestablished beavers exceeded 200 in Hungary. Due to the success of the program, the growth of the local beaver population and the natural arrival of beavers from the neighboring countries by now the number of these rodents exceed 500 in Hungary.

An important part of the cooperation between OBI and WWF is to create the opportunity for students to learn about the life of the beaver, and through this, to make them aware about the importance and the tools of efficient nature protection. This year the classes are held the 27 January – 26 February in 18 stores of 16 cities.

At the end of each class the groups receive a beaver quiz the answers to which can be mailed to WWF Hungary. Valuable presents are drawn among those providing the correct answers, while the pupils of the first prize winning class participate at an environmental class excursion. At the same time WWF and OBI launch a copywriting competition to which any child can apply with a poem or story about the beaver. The objective of the competition to let the creative fantasy of the children fly, together with the chance to learn about this interesting topic.

It is not by chance that OBI provides support to the WWF beaver program from the very beginnings. This is a program that reflects well the environmental awareness and commitment of OBI as well as provides the chance to prove this commitment in every city.

"OBI finds it especially important to contribute to the environmental education of the young generation. The classes held in our stores are a prime opportunity for extending their learning. On top of this, the beaver is a symbol for us, as it is an animal that lives in families, builds its home and takes care of its surroundings in a systematic way. The stores of the largest home development chain in Hungary offer everyone the opportunity to follow the example of the beaver and to build, develop and care about their home and environment" – commented Gyöngyi Illés, the PR and marketing director of OBI Hungary.

"Following the closing of the successful beaver reestablishment program we find it very important to draw everyone’s attention to how they can contribute to the protection of the beaver, and to environment in general. Through attending these classes children can playfully learn about the dangers threatening the beavers and the ways to protect them." –added Gábor Magyar, director of WWF Hungary.

BACKGROUNDER

Beaver classes are held in 2010 in the following locations:

Nyíregyháza: January 27.
Miskolc: January 28.
Eger: January 29.
Dunaújváros: February 2.
Budaörs: February 3.
Budapest, XIV. Fogarasi út: February 4-5.
Szekszárd: February 9.
Siófok: February 10.
Kaposvár: February 11.
Nagykanizsa: February 12.
Szolnok: February 17.
Békéscsaba: February 18.
Szeged: February 19.
Kecskemét: February 23.
Budapest, IX. Soroksári út: February 24.
Tatabánya: February 25.
Sopron: February 26.