Scientists Excited by Discovery of First Baby Beaver in Bay Area Trail Camera in 160 Years, Raising Hopes for Species Recovery

Strange Baby Beaver Spotted Near Palo Alto, California

A mysterious creature was caught on a trail camera scampering across the Matadero Creek near Palo Alto, south of San Francisco. Biologists were puzzled as they reviewed the footage, trying to identify the mammal. After careful consideration, Bill Leikam, president and co-founder of the Urban Wildlife Research Project, realized that the creature might be a baby beaver.

The sighting of a baby beaver is a significant event in the Bay Area, where there has been a resurgence of mammalian species in recent years. The Urban Wildlife Research Project, known for documenting the return of the gray fox, has not recorded breeding beavers in the Palo Alto area for over 160 years. However, in September 2022, a pair of beavers was photographed on trail cameras, leading Leikam to believe that they may have had a baby. The size of the creature captured on the camera indicated that it was too small to be an adult beaver.

Leikam speculates that the mating pair and their offspring are descendants of a group of beavers reintroduced to the nearby Los Gatos Creek by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. It has taken them several years to disperse, breed, and expand their territory. Leikam believes they are now moving along the northwestern edge of San Francisco Bay.

The potential expansion of the beaver population has garnered attention from local news outlets. Palo Alto Online provides extensive reporting on the various creeks the beavers might inhabit if their population continues to grow naturally. Research has shown that beavers have a positive impact on their riverine environments by building dams that create ponds and retain water for longer periods, fortifying the surrounding areas against drought. The dams also prevent excessive flooding during the winter and provide habitat for various wildlife species.

The beaver’s ability to transform its surroundings has earned it the title of a “keystone species.” Dr. Rick Lanman, President of the Institute for Historical Ecology, explains that beaver ponds in the uplands create habitats for birds, amphibians, bats, and serve as an insect cafeteria for fish like trout and salmon.

The sighting of the baby beaver has sparked excitement among wildlife enthusiasts in the Bay Area. It is a testament to the success of conservation efforts and the return of native species to their natural habitats. As the beaver population continues to grow, it is hoped that their presence will further enhance the ecological diversity and resilience of the region.

Watch the video of the baby beaver passing by here.

Share this exciting news of the baby beaver’s return with your Bay Area friends.

Sources:
– SFGate: https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/beaver-palo-alto-matadero-creek-18365164.php
– Urban Wildlife Research Project: https://urbanwildliferesearchproject.org/
– Palo Alto Online: https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/08/25/beaver-makes-species-first-appearance-in-palo-alto-baylands-in-over-160-years
– Good News Network: 500 Baby Sharks to be Released in Unprecedented Rewilding of the Ocean
– Good News Network: NASA Became “Beaver Believers” After Using Satellites To Measure Their Impact On US Rivers

Original Story at www.goodnewsnetwork.org – 2023-09-19 15:00:38