Algonquin Park is Black Bear Country “Maddie” the Map Turtle Vol. 55, No. 3 • August 1, 2014 For most Park visitors, seeing a by Patrick Moldowan Black Bear in its natural environment BIG news from the Turtle Lab! Over the to a Painted Turtle. Not wasting any time, she The is an exciting experience. However, 43 years of the Algonquin Turtle Project there dove off her log and headed for deep water. the excitement diminishes when that have been a lot of firsts. Each and every year Turtle Researchers followed close and after Black Bear is rummaging through brings something new to discover and the 2014 much splashing, hollering, and excitement your cooler or tent, searching for food. field season is no exception. We are ecstatic “Maddie” the Map Turtle was in hand! As visitors camping in bear country, to announce the first capture of a Northern As the first of her kind on the west side of aven you have a responsibility to follow Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) in Algonquin Park, Maddie has a lot to teach us. A Natural and Cultural History Digest Algonquin Provincial Park! the bear rules and to know what to There is still a lot of speculation about this Reports of a Map Turtle in Algonquin turtle’s past. Where did she come from? Is this do if you encounter a bear. first circulated during the summer of 2012 R a case of range expansion, natural dispersal when Park Naturalist Justin Peter snapped into new habitat, or relocation by humans? a photo of an individual basking in the We look forward to following up with Maddie Think inside the lodge by David LeGros Madawaska River, near Lake of Two Rivers. in the years ahead, probably on her favourite Another Map Turtle observation followed basking log once When we think of the many thoughts explore the creature that lives on the beaver, P eter ferguson from Ontario Parks staff Jeremy Inglis, this again. come to mind: an industrious creature; half we need to know why it can be a habitat – the one far removed on the east side of in, half out of the water; busily cutting trees; forest of fur! Rules in Bear Country Algonquin Park in the Bonnechere collecting and piling branches and mud to The beaver’s fur is quite extraordinary watershed (where the species is build a dam. As expert engineers, a family – the rich reddish-brown outer fur has long Each year, Park staff spend hundreds of hours dealing with problem bears known to occur outside of the Park’s of can quickly build a dam, block guard hairs to help keep the warm, – help our staff by following the rules when camping in bear country. boundaries). During nesting surveys this a stream and create a small lake where they but it is the fur you don’t see that is the most 1 Never feed or approach bears 3 Keep your campsite clean year, something unusual caught the eye of will build their lodge and raise a family. If we important. The extremely dense underfur acts The Black Bear is an intelligent animal, with In campgrounds, reduce the availability of Turtle Project Field Leader Matt Keevil. take a step back, one can see that the beaver’s as a water-proof barrier, keeping the beaver the ability to remember food locations and can garbage, and consequently garbage odours, The Map Turtle was back and perched on activities are to serve itself, but are essential warm and dry while it swims. This amazing fur quickly become accustomed to human sources by depositing your sealed bags of garbage daily what looked like the very same log it was to a wide range of other creatures that rely on coat, so important to the beaver, soon attracted of food. People who feed bears create problems in the bear-proof waste containers. Clean your first photographed on two years prior! the pond that it creates and maintains. This is the attention of humans in the form of trapping for everyone. picnic table and barbecue after every use, and The next day was sunny and brought a classic lesson in ecology, one species that (see side bar). Trappers had nearly wiped them clean up any spilled grease. great prospects for basking turtles and the many others rely on: a key-stone species.It out and few beaver remained on the land. 2 Store food out of reach of bears When camping in the back­country, burn any capture of the elusive Algonquin Map Turtle. is easy for us to understand the habitats that Beavers have since made an unprecedented In campgrounds and picnic areas, store all food food scraps and fat drippings thoroughly in a hot The Turtle Research Crew launched a canoe beavers create and how wildlife use these, but comeback across North America, and anyone (including pet food) inside the closed trunk of fire. Any remaining garbage should be placed equipped with landing nets, wetsuit, flippers, can the beaver itself be a habitat? At least one canoeing through Algonquin’s wilderness will your vehicle, if possible. Do not store food, in your litter bag and suspended along with the and pure determination. We started upstream, creature has thought “outside of the box” and invariably have to portage around or carry cooking utensils or fragrant items, such as food. To eliminate food odours, dishes should be winding downriver with the hopes of catching gone inside the lodge. However, before we can their canoe over one (or possibly dozens!) of soap, toothpaste, or shaving cream in your tent. washed immediately after each meal (preferably the turtle by surprise with researchers Steven When camping in the backcountry,­ put well away from your campsite). Kell and Patrick Moldowan by canoe and all food in a pack and hang it well off the Charges can be laid for leaving Matt Keevil snorkeling stealthily. Finally, ground – at least four metres off the ground the Map Turtle was in sight! She was once and two metres away from the tree trunk – and out items which may serve as again basking on her favourite old log, next “Maddie” the Northern Map Turtle in Algonquin Park away from the vicinity of your tent. attractants to any wildlife. Photo: patrick Moldowan

Bear spray is pepper spray with a strength, and a propel­ lant,­ specifically The Visitor Centre offers FREE WiFi internet access formulated to deter bears when it is sprayed in their eyes. Know how to properly use, …and while there, don’t forget to check out The Friends of Algonquin Park store, and carry this product (available from many outfitters). Keep in mind that bear Bookstore and Nature Shop, or the Sunday Creek Café. spray is no replacement for appropriate conduct in the outdoors. algonquinpark.on.ca MNR# 4575 4.5K P.R. 08 01 14 ISSN 0701-6972 (print) ISSN 1927-8624 (online) © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2014 f.j.parent beaver dams. The beaver’s recovery is even eyes. All told it is somewhat reminiscent of instinctively know to find a beaver and begin important refuges for many kinds of wildlife, more impressive in that it is now possible to a small, amber-coloured cockroach. But how feeding. The larvae, once fully matured, but we don’t often think of what is happening Algonquin Park 2014 Loon Survey see beavers and their signs in urban centres. does it make a living on the beaver? leave the comfort of the beaver for the inner inside the lodge, and that The haunting calls of the Common Loon Loon Reproduction But long before humans had any interest in It is a parasite, living only on beavers. workings of the lodge. But unlike where the beaver itself is a symbolize Algonquin’s wild country for many in Algonquin Park Since 1981 beaver pelts, a very special little creature had Now you are probably thinking: the eggs were laid, the larvae head for the habitat! people. Nearly every small lake has a breeding # of lakes % with its eyes on our eventual national emblem. No, breathe air, so how is the Beaver ceiling of the lodge, and undergo a drastic pair and there are multiple pairs on the larger Year surveyed nest/young wait, it doesn’t have eyes. living on a creature that spends much of its change known as metamorphosis, in the lakes. Unfortunately, there are environmental 1981 121 38 are among the most diverse group time underwater? True, the beaver’s habitat is mud and sticks. Metamorphosis takes up to threats to loons throughout their range that could 1982 184 28 of living creatures on the planet, with over aquatic, but the Beaver Beetle’s habitat is a 11 days, and once emerged, the young beetles potentially affect numbers here in the Park. These 1983 237 21 340,000 known species. It has been said beaver! Remember that dense underfur of the head right back to the beaver. include reduced reproductive success caused “The Regent” style 1984 298 34 that there is no organic material, animal or beaver? The skin underneath the hair does not Most insects have a strategy to reduce food Beaver Felt Hat, circa 1825 by acid precipitation, and loons dying during vegetable, that is spared from the chewing get cold and wet when the beaver dives, and competition between parents and offspring migration due to avian botulism. 1985 210 37 mouthparts of beetles. As a rule, most beetles the beetle makes its living here! – the larvae feed on different foods than the Beaver Felt Hats 1986 216 35 are pretty innocuous, although a few are It feeds on the fatty skin secretions and adults, but the Beaver Beetle is an exception The beaver was central to the 1987 261 43 pests of crops, trees and stored foods. One skin debris, and maybe even some blood to this. The larvae and adults of the Beaver establishment of Canada and the 1988 260 40 particular species of beetle has become an from wounds on the beaver, but it is not a Beetle are perfectly content to feast on the exploration of North America. In the 1989 240 41 extreme specialist, and completely abandoned true blood sucker. So tied to the beaver is the same kinds of beaver morsels. 1600s to mid-1800s trade in beaver 1990 248 40 the traditional beetle lifestyle: like the trapper, Beaver Beetle, that it can only be found away To be truly successful, the Beaver Beetle pelts was a driving force of our this beetle makes a living off the beaver. from its host at three brief times in its life. requires not one, but a family of beavers. As the fledgling economy, and even today, 1991 201 50 The Beaver Beetle (Platypsyllus castoris), A female beetle, laden with eggs, climbs off family of beavers grows, eventually the young trapping still supports many people 1992 203 39 the species name referring to its affinity the beaver while it is in the lodge to lay eggs ones will leave their natal territory, finding their and communities in Canada. European 1993 232 43 with the beaver, is very unique and is almost in the substrate of the beaver’s home. She own place in the wilds of Algonquin. However, settlers trapped beaver for their fur, 1994 183 46 unrecognizable as a beetle. It looks more like they will head out into the world with their own but soon realized they could make may be off of the beaver for up to two days, Brian L asen b y 1995 223 45 a louse or a flea than a beetle, and this isa and once done laying eggs quickly returns hitch-hiking beetles which also grew up in the felt hats using the underfur. The long In 1981, we began a project to help determine 1996 219 42 reflection of its adaptation to an odd lifestyle. to her host. The eggs are laid in the floor of family home, and they will continue their life guard hairs were removed and the just how well loons were doing in Algonquin. 1997 173 45 This tiny is flattened, with short legs, no the lodge and hatch after cycles when the beaver establishes a lodge and dense underfur was felted and pressed Visitors and staff report the lakes where they see wings, reduced elytra (the hard wing covers about 30 days. Upon family of its own. into the form of a hat, which became 1998 175 42 fashionable and in high demand. These adult loons, their nests and young. On average, found on most beetles), and lastly it has no hatching, the larvae From the early days of the fur trade and 1999 190 33 expensive hats were a sign of wealth, nests or young were observed on 40% of lakes the exploration of the New World, to its 2000 216 44 prosperity and status to the wearer in where loons were reported during the 33 years diligent work as an ecosystem engineer, we 2001 168 39 Europe. Fortunately for the beaver, from 1981 to 2013. Only a long-term monitoring know that beavers are an important part of the Europe’s sense of fashion eventually program can distinguish real trends from normal 2002 143 41 Canadian, and Algonquin landscape. The next changed, and beaver-felt hats were no yearly fluctuations and we need observations 2003 120 46 time you visit a beaver pond, try to imagine longer in style and demand subsided, from as many lakes as possible. 2004 144 41 all the interwoven stories happening before allowing populations to recover. 2005 156 40 Overhead view of Beaver you. The habitats created by beavers are Beetle – note the flattened Algonquin Park Loon Survey2014 2006 147 41

Report your Common Loon sightings. body and lack of eyes. We are specifically interested in loons, loons on nests, or loons with young. Your efforts help us monitor the health of Algonquin’s lakes. 2007 138 43 Annual Algonquin Butterfly Count 2008 169 39 The 18th annual Algonquin Butterfly Count revised publication Butterflies of Algonquin 2009 146 40

Observer Name(s) 2010 138 36 took place on Tuesday July 1st, 2014. Provincial Park, available from The Friends Nest? #Young Date #Adults The count was a great success thanks to of Algonquin Park. Lake Name 2011 134 51 the many volunteer observers. A total of 2012 128 48 32 species were observed during the count. K rzysztof W iktor 2013 120 52 The most interesting species observed was the Little Yellow, a species that has not been Please give us a hand by reporting your loon observed in Algonquin since July of 1959. sightings this year. Report forms are available For a guide and checklist of the species Little Yellow discovered found in Algonquin, please see the newly by Rick Stronks July 1, 2014. at park offices and the Visitor Centre.

Return your completed sheets to the Algonquin Visitor Centre, Box 219, Whitney, ON K0J 2M0 Or email your sightings to [email protected]