Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 minutes ago
The Beaver Ecology and Relocation Collaborative (BERC) at Utah State University works with USFS to live-capture nuisance beaver and quarantine them for release, saving them from the specter of lethal trapping.
Beavers’ engineering prowess isn’t always welcome near canals, culverts and yards where humans live, and the trappers at BERC work with local land managers like USFS to find the animals new homes.
Keeping beaver families together during these transfers helps the animals to remain healthy and feel more settled at the new site, he said. Beavers are held for a short quarantine in the Beaver Bunk House, and released together at a stream restoration site, which in this case was up in the high Uintah mountains.
Scientists with the group also conduct research to better understand beaver behavior, which can improve the likelihood the animals will thrive after relocation. Fortin, who is a research associate with BERC and a graduate student in the Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is investigating which kinds of habitats beavers choose after relocation by monitoring their movement using microchips similar to the ones used for pets.
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Since 1888, Utah State University established itself as a premier research institution known through the world for its intellectual and technological leadership. USU’s main campus is in Logan, plus 30 campuses throughout Utah. And as long as WiFi is available, you can be an Aggie anywhere through USU Online.
USU competes in 16 NCAA Division I sports. Our student section, the HURD, is one of the loudest and rowdiest in the nation. The diehards become True Aggies by kissing on the block “A” on Homecoming. Adrenaline junkies sled down Old Main hill between classes or rock climb outside. And everyone eats Aggie Ice Cream — even with a foot of snow on the ground.
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The Beaver Ecology and Relocation Collaborative (BERC) at Utah State University works with USFS to live-capture nuisance beaver and quarantine them for release, saving them from the specter of lethal trapping.
Beavers’ engineering prowess isn’t always welcome near canals, culverts and yards where humans live, and the trappers at BERC work with local land managers like USFS to find the animals new homes.
Keeping beaver families together during these transfers helps the animals to remain healthy and feel more settled at the new site, he said. Beavers are held for a short quarantine in the Beaver Bunk House, and released together at a stream restoration site, which in this case was up in the high Uintah mountains.
Scientists with the group also conduct research to better understand beaver behavior, which can improve the likelihood the animals will thrive after relocation. Fortin, who is a research associate with BERC and a graduate student in the Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is investigating which kinds of habitats beavers choose after relocation by monitoring their movement using microchips similar to the ones used for pets.
–––––––––––
Since 1888, Utah State University established itself as a premier research institution known through the world for its intellectual and technological leadership. USU’s main campus is in Logan, plus 30 campuses throughout Utah. And as long as WiFi is available, you can be an Aggie anywhere through USU Online.
USU competes in 16 NCAA Division I sports. Our student section, the HURD, is one of the loudest and rowdiest in the nation. The diehards become True Aggies by kissing on the block “A” on Homecoming. Adrenaline junkies sled down Old Main hill between classes or rock climb outside. And everyone eats Aggie Ice Cream — even with a foot of snow on the ground.
#7 Best Bang for the Buck in the West - Washington Monthly
#8 Public University in the Nation - Washington Monthly
#11 Best Online Bachelor's Program - U.S. News & World Report
There’s a place for you at Utah State. Join us.
https://usu.edu/admissions/aggielife/
Follow Us
FB: facebook.com/UtahState
IG: instagram.com/USUAggielife
TW: twitter.com/USUAggies
USU is committed to a learning and working environment free from discrimination. For USU’s non-discrimination notice, see equity.usu.edu/non-discrimination.
