2019 IR Beaver population
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 8:12 am
Between their roles as ecosystem engineers and an important food source for the island’s wolves, beavers are a vital part of Isle Royale. On the island, the NPS has documented as many as 11 individuals at a beaver colony, though colonies typically have 2–6 individuals. In 2019, there were 4.9 beavers per colony. Considering that there were 421 active beaver colonies in 2018, there were over 2000 beavers throughout the island.
Beavers can make up as much as ¼ of the wolf’s diet on Isle Royale depending on the time of year. In addition to the park’s extensive survey of the beaver population, our camera and scat surveys are helping us to further investigate wolf and beaver relationships.
Beavers can make up as much as ¼ of the wolf’s diet on Isle Royale depending on the time of year. In addition to the park’s extensive survey of the beaver population, our camera and scat surveys are helping us to further investigate wolf and beaver relationships.