IMPACT OF AN EXPERIMENTAL WOLF REDUCTION ON BEAVER IN PAPINEAU-LABELLE RESERVE, QUEBEC

From 1983 to 1988 the densities of beaver colonies in traplines from w ithin two blocks were compared. The first block (RB, 275 km2) was incl uded in a larger area where wolves were reduced almost 60% over three winters. The second block (UB, 265 km2) received no wolf-control treat ment. Beaver trapping, formerly prohibited, was allowed in 1984 in 5 o f 11 trapline units of RB and 5 of 9 units of UB after the first wolf reduction. The density of colonies (0.8/km2) remained stable in UB, ev en where beaver trapping was allowed. In RB a 20% increase in colonies occurred after 3 years in units not opened to beaver trapping, but th e numbers decreased to their former level 2 years after wolf control w as terminated. Where wolf reduction and trapping occurred synchronousl y, colony numbers remained unchanged, but they decreased by 30% follow ing suspension of wolf control. We do not recommend wolf reduction as a management tool when beaver density is high.