Beaver sterilization project, Castor canadensis, in an urban setting

Authors

Marc-André Fortin, Le Groupe Prevost-Fortin

Date of this Version

9-2011

Document Type

Article

Citation

Presented at 2011 Bird Strike North America Conference, September 12-15, 2011, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Comments

Copyright 2011 Fortin.

Abstract

Presentation

• The problem;
• The Biology of Castor canadensis;
• Capture procedures;
• The benefits of sterilisation;
• The Montreal Airport Project;
• The Farnham Garrison Project;

One beaver too many

Why is the population growing

• The price of beaver pelts has dropped;
• The lack of natural predators in urban and semi-urban areas;
• A species that re-produces rapidly.

Damage

• Chews trees, up to 100m from the pond;
• Blocks up culvers with dams;
• Floods roads, rail tracks and farm land;
• Creates a welcome habitat for water fowl and increases the risk of bird strikes
• Airports and beavers do not mix!

Castor canadensis (General Information)

• Location: Almost all of Canada and the USA.
• Weight: adults from 11-35 kg.
• Life span: Approx 20 years in captivity and 10 years in the wild
• castoreum, a rarity, is an oil secreted by a gland, located near the rectum, used to mark its territory
• Food reserves are collected towards the end of summer to carry the colony through the winter.