Beavers Relocated to Improve Steam Habitat

It’s not just grizzly bears who get re-located from one part of the state to another.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologists recently trapped and relocated three beavers as part of a long-term effort to improve stream habitat.

The beavers were trapped on private land south of Cody where they were causing flooding over roads. The animals were relocated to a stream south of Meeteetse.

Habitat Biologist Jerry Altermatt said that beaver can be beneficial to both habitat and other wildlife.  He says that as beavers build dams and pond water is created, vegetation is improved along the stream, stabilizing stream banks, which creates better habitat for fish and wildlife.  They also increase habitat diversity for trout, recharge groundwater, increase late season flows and filter sediment and nutrients from water

After the beavers are captured, they are housed in a specialized trailer until other beavers in a family group can be captured.   Game and Fish recently acquired the trailer thanks to donations from Wyoming Outdoorsmen, and two private donations from residents in Park County.

More relocations are planned for this fall.