Beavers disappearing near Klosterheden as wolves increase activity in western Jutland

Adrian Lilholm has been hosting a family of six beavers on his property near Klosterheden in western Jutland, Denmark. However, five of them have disappeared, and he suspects wolves have developed a taste for beaver meat. Wildlife cameras have captured images of these predators investigating the areas where the beaver family used to forage and spend time.

“Previously, there was a lot of activity around the lodge with several beavers. But after wolves visited the site for the first time last spring, I haven’t seen much of the beavers since,” Lilholm noted. Although he hasn’t recorded the wolves eating the beavers, he connects the dots based on the evidence.

Professor Peter Sunde, a wolf expert from Aarhus University, supports this theory, although he cannot confirm that the beaver family in Lilholm’s backyard has become wolf prey. He explained that in other countries where wolves and beavers coexist, wolves actively hunt beavers, which can weigh about 20 kilograms—similar to small deer.

While many perceive beavers primarily as aquatic animals, they need to come onto land to find food, which wolves exploit. “Wolves are opportunistic feeders, and beavers are relatively easy prey if wolves can surprise them on land and prevent their escape back to the water,” Sunde added.

Adrian Lilholm has filmed several wolves with his wildlife camera. Despite the reduced beaver activity, he acknowledges the natural balance and admits it was only a matter of time before beavers faced a natural enemy. He sees it as a form of ecological regulation, even if it’s disappointing to have fewer beavers to observe.

As for the remaining beaver at Lilholm’s property, researcher Peter Sunde is eager to see how this situation evolves, especially in light of behavioral changes observed in North America, where beavers have adapted to living alongside wolves.