Can Wolf Predation Immediately Alter the Foraging Behavior of Beavers? Video of a Wolf Killing a Foraging Beaver

Knowledge of wolf (Canis lupus)-beaver (Castor canadensis) interactions has largely been derived from indirect observations due to the cryptic nature of wolves and the densely forested areas where they usually kill beavers. In September 2023, we captured a video via remote camera of a wolf killing an adult beaver that was foraging on a feeding trail. This observation provides insight into how wolves may prevent beavers from reaching water after an attack is initiated, as well as how beavers attempt to escape once attacked. The camera also recorded the number of beavers foraging before and after the kill, providing a unique opportunity to observe the foraging behavior of the surviving beavers. The camera recorded videos on the trail for 11 nights before the predation and 37 nights after the predation. The time beavers spent on the feeding trail declined by 96% following predation. Although we present just a single observation, it raises an interesting question: is it possible or even plausible to think wolves might immediately alter where or the extent to which beavers forage through predation? We provide a detailed discussion on possibilities and highlight areas for future research.