Beaver Island
| Beaver Island | |
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| Location | |
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| Location: | 51°50’20"S, 61°16’40"W |
| Area: | 12,000 acres |
| Data | |
Beaver Island is one of the Beaver Island group of Falkland Islands. It lies west of Weddell Island and south of New Island and has an area of 12,000 acres. It is named form the Beaver, a British whaling ship.
Beaver Island Group
Other islands in the Beaver Island group include:
- Staats Island; 1,235 acres
- Tea Island; 766 acres
- Governor Island; 544 acres
- Split Island; 173 acres
- A few smaller islands.
Although the smaller islands in the group are low-lying, the larger islands are very hilly, with many peaks of more than 500 feet and some more than 750 feet. The highest elevation in the Beaver Island Group is 768 feet.
History and population
Beaver Island was named after the whaling vessel "Beaver" which was recorded as being the first whaling ship to double Cape Horn.
Beaver Settlement lies on the island, with an airstrip nearby. It is owned by Sally and Jerome Poncet.
In October 2003, the wreckage of a missing French yacht was found on the island by their son, Leif Poncet.
Wildlife
Wildlife on the island includes Gentoo Penguins, South American Grey Foxes (introduced, not to be confused with the Falkland Islands Wolf), Peregrine Falcons, Southern and Striated Caracaras, Guanacos, fur seals, and many seabirds. Beds of kelp can be found offshore.
Outside links
References
- Stonehouse, B (ed.) Encyclopedia of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans (2002, ISBN 0-471-98665-8)