Beaver Island, Falkland Islands facts for kids
{{Infobox settlement | name = Beaver Island | type = Island | native_name = Isla San Rafael | native_name_lang = es | other_name = | image_skyline = Beaver Island - Falkland Islands.jpg | image_caption = | image_map = Falkland Islands - Beaver Island.PNG | map_caption = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_caption = Beaver Island shown within the Falkland Islands | coordinates = 51°50′20″S 61°16′40″W / 51.83889°S 61.27778°W | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Falkland Islands | subdivision_type1 = Island group | subdivision_name1 = | named_for = English: from Beaver, a whaling ship | seat_type = Main settlement | seat = | area_total_km2 = 48.56 | area_rank = | elevation_max_m = | elevation_max_footnotes = | elevation_min_m = | elevation_min_footnotes =
Beaver Island is a beautiful island located in the Falkland Islands. It's a special place known for its amazing wildlife, especially its many seabirds and penguins. The island is named after an old whaling ship called "Beaver," which was famous for an important journey it made long ago.
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History of Beaver Island
Beaver Island got its name from a whaling ship called "Beaver." This ship was recorded as the first whaling vessel to sail around Cape Horn. Sailing around Cape Horn, located at the southern tip of South America, was a very difficult and dangerous journey for ships.
Beaver Settlement
On the island, there is a small community called Beaver Settlement. It also has an airstrip nearby, which is a place where small planes can land and take off. The settlement and much of the island are owned by Sally and Jerome Poncet.
Incredible Wildlife
Beaver Island is a fantastic place for spotting different kinds of animals. The wildlife here includes many interesting species.
Animals on the Island
You can find gentoo penguins waddling around. There are also South American gray foxes, which were brought to the island by people. These foxes are not the same as the Falkland Islands wolf, which is now extinct.
Look up in the sky, and you might see powerful birds like peregrine falcons. Other unique birds of prey include the crested caracara and the striated caracara. On land, you might spot guanacos, which are relatives of llamas. Near the coast, fur seals can be seen playing in the water. Many different kinds of seabirds also make their homes here.
Underwater Life
Just offshore from Beaver Island, you can find large beds of kelp. Kelp is a type of giant seaweed that grows in underwater forests. These kelp beds provide food and shelter for many marine animals.
Important Bird Area
The Beaver Island Group, which includes Beaver Island and some smaller nearby islands, has been recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. This means it's a very important place for birds from all over the world.
- At least 40 different types of birds have been seen in the Beaver Island Group.
- Out of these, 34 species are known to breed there, meaning they build nests and raise their young.
Some of the bird species for which this area is a very important breeding site include:
- Falkland steamer ducks: About 245 pairs make their nests here.
- Gentoo penguins: A large colony of about 2,850 pairs lives on the island.
- Magellanic penguins: Around 2,000 pairs of these penguins also breed here.
- Southern giant petrels: About 300 pairs of these large seabirds can be found nesting.
See also
In Spanish: Isla San Rafael para niños
