BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Castor canadensis
American Beaver
| Scientific Name: | Castor canadensis |
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| English Name: | American Beaver |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S5 |
| Date Status Assigned: | |
| Date Last Reviewed: | January 15, 2024 |
| Reasons: | This adaptable species is found throughout B.C. including Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island with many occurrences in waterways and wetlands, both disturbed and undisturbed. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | G = 200,000-2,500,000 square km |
| Range Extent Estimate (km2): | 980,000 |
| Range Extent Comments: | This species is found throughout British Columbia, including Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island. |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | U = Unknown |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | E = > 300 |
| Comments: | There are nearly 2000 observations in iNaturalist alone for B.C. (iNaturalist 2023h) |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Population Size: | G = 100,000 - 1,000,000 individuals |
| Comments: | There is an estimate of 400,000 to 600,000 animals in B.C. that was made in 1979. In 2003, Hatler and Beal (2003) surmised that it was unlikely to have changed at that time. |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Urbanization, damming of waterways and severe drought may threaten portions of the population. They are trapped and may be destroyed when they are deemed a "nuisance" animal, but not to the extent to harm the overall population. |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | This species is likely stable over the short-term. |
| Long-Term Trend: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Comments: | There were declines in the early 1900's due to trapping, however the population increased once trapping was controlled and has likely stabilized. |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Environmental Specificity: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | |
| Inventory Needs: | |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | |
| Management: | |
| Version | |
| Author: | Ramsay, L. (2023) |
| Date: | December 06, 2023 |
| References | |
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Hatler, D. and A. Beal. 2003. Beaver Management Guildlines in British Columbia. Government of B.C, Victoria, B.C.
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iNaturalist. 2023h. Castor canadensis observations. Accessed November 19, 2023 at https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=7085&subview=map&taxon_id=43794
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Nagorsen, D. W. 2005b. The rodents and lagomorphs of British Columbia. Royal B.C. Mus. Handb., Victoria, BC. 410pp.
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2023. Conservation Status Report: Castor canadensis. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 5, 2026).