WA researchers awaiting test results for mysterious deaths of beavers along Salish Sea

We here in Martinez know a thing or two about a beaver “Die-off” How many actual beavers I wonder?

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. – Researchers need the public’s help solving a mystery in San Juan County. Beavers are showing up dead along the shores of the Salish Sea. It’s an unusual sighting for the creatures that are so vital to Washington’s marine environment.

What they’re saying:

“Beavers are critical to the environment here and in the climate resiliency, especially in these tidal areas like the estuaries along the Salish Sea,” said Erin Casellas, field operations coordinator for The Whale Museum. “The Chinook Salmon smolt depend on the habitats that the beavers create. They’re building their dams, and in turn these Chinook salmon are what many other species, like the endangered Southern Resident killer whales are also depending on.”

Experts with the museum, located in Friday Harbor, are currently waiting for test results on what killed the beavers. Researchers said their team isn’t sure if the creatures died from toxins, disease, human influence, or climate-related stress.