Why Are There Statues of Beavers on Top of This Oxford Street Shop?

It's funny to me, a Canadian, that this even warrants a did-you-know article because everything about the beaver fur/hat making industry is something I learned extensively about in elementary and high school because it was like, a major driver of the European exploration and colonization and therefore significant to the history of my country.

But outside of here it's just a footnote to a fashion trend.

What such a hat looks like:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_beaver_hat_-_D...

If you're interested in learning more about the ecological impact of beavers, I highly recommend "Three Against The Wilderness" by Eric Collier. He homesteaded in BC in the 1930s-60s and encouraged the re-introduction of beavers after being on the brink of extinction here.

The flag of New York City also features beavers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flags_of_New_York_City

Edit: it's clearer in the seal of the city https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_of_New_York_City

Perhaps it's only because we wiped them out so many places that we understand in the slightest the ecological role they play