This
Month in Yellowstone
Beaver Food Cache
On December 10th and 11th, Bob Landis was shooting video that could
be used to demonstrate the revival of certain vegetation that many
think has returned due to the reintroduction of the wolf to Yellowstone.
He noticed a beaver carrying a large number of willow branches while
swimming upstream. When wolves were absent from Yellowstone, elk fed
in the lowlands near rivers and streams and reduced the availability
of willow branches dramatically. The lack of willows is believed to
have played a part in the disappearance of the beaver in years gone
by.
Now that the wolves are back, the lowlands near rivers and streams
are dangerous places for elk to gather. They can be ambushed by a
wolf pack far too easily there. Elk, therefore, are thought to spend
less time in those riparian habitats, which, in turn, allows willows
to thrive. With renewed food resources, the beaver has returned to
Yellowstone and their population is on the increase.
A beaver munches on a branch.
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