1. Boise River Beaver Control Project
1990s
Boise Parks and Recreation Dept., Boise, Idaho
Goals:
Stabilize the population of Beavers (Castor Canadensis) along the Boise River corridor in Ada
County to minimize their impact on the riparian zone and conflicts with human home and
business owners.
Re-establish populations of beavers in currently unoccupied, suitable habitat in nearby public
lands to enhance ecosystem functionality.
Summary:
I assisted Valerie in live trapping beavers with clam shell traps. This was a positive change from
the previous practice of killing the beavers and blowing up their dams.
She clearly explained to me how the population could be kept at a suitable level for the much
reduced riparian habitat. She explained that the breeding pair of beavers per location were to be
transported to a veterinarian for sterilization. Juveniles still dependent on their parents, were
immediately released at the trap location. Sub-adults from the same location were relocated to
unoccupied suitable habitat in nearby public land like Whiskey Jack Creek in the South Fork
Boise River Watershed.
Valerie’s holistic approach also included volunteers that wrapped chicken wire around some trees
to protect them from being harvested by beavers. Trees that were not leaning towards the river
were loosely wrapped with wire that was secured with staples or strands of wire along the top and
bottom. The trees that were leaning towards the river were left for the beaver to harvest without
any danger of the tree falling on the nearby pathways or buildings.
I found Valerie’s positive attitude, knowledge, and willingness to compromise in order to establish
a long term, sustainable, and ethical solution to a chronic urban wildlife problem an invaluable
experience in my education as a biologist.
Feel free to call or email me with any questions.
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Evan Brown
Data Coordinator
StreamNet Project <http://www.streamnet.org>
Idaho Dept of Fish and Game <http://fishandgame.idaho.gov>
208-287-2721