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Not A Beaver!  This semi-aquatic rodent is known as a Nutria or Coypu and hails from South America.  It was brought to North America by fur ranchers (primarily) and tends to have destructive feeding and burrowing habits.  These behaviors make this invasive species a pest to its newfound habitats.

Although a variety of wildlife can be seen on your visit to the Fort Smith National Historic Site today, the historic landscape, prior to and during the early period of European settlement, contained a greater amount and diversity of animals. Black bear, bison, elk, and the now extinct Passenger Pigeon were all common residents to the area where the Fort Smith National Historic Site is now located. Reintroduction efforts have been proven successful in establishing significant numbers of black bear in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, and elk in the Buffalo River region of the Ozarks. 

While walking the grounds keep and eye out for one of the park's many Fox Squirrels. These playful critters thrive on the park's abundant acorns, walnuts, and pecans;  not mention providing nearly constant entertainment to visitors. 

Cheryl Reynolds, Worth A Dam

This is a Beaver!  Photo courtesy of Worth A Dam, whos staff corrected our mistake of labeling a Nutria as a Beaver.  This photo however, leaves no doubt.

Other mammals you might see include:

Ground Hog
Beaver
Coyote (rare)
Red Fox
Raccoon
Eastern Cottontail (rabbit)

The City of Fort Smith is a bird sanctuary and Fort Smith National Historic Site is an ideal place for birdwatchers.

Every fall, monarch butterflies migrate through the park on their way to Mexico.