NATURE NOTES FROM ACADIA

WILD ANIMAL REPORT FOR 1933*

The area of Mount Desert Island, on which Acadia National Park is located, is approximately 100 square miles, and about one-sixth of this lies within the park boundaries. A glance at the map will show how irregular these boundaries are and how closely this island lies to the mainland. These facts must be borne in mind when estimating the numbers of the larger fur-bearing animals in Acadia National Park.

Mr. O. Y. Thompson, permanent ranger in Acadia National Park, and Mr. Lyle E. Smith, state game warden for this region, together are undoubtedly better informed regarding animal numbers here than any two men. They have given me the following information, which I regard is as accurate as possible:

Virginia White-tailed Deer - 200 on the island, of which 50 are within the park boundaries. Number fairly stationary.

Beaver - 75 on the island, of which 10 are within the park boundaries.

Red Fox - 50 on the island, of which 10 are within the park boundaries. Number fairly stationary.

Muskrat - 300 on the island, of which 50 are within the park boundaries. Number increasing.

Raccoon - 10 on the island, of which 2 are within the park boundaries. A rare mammal here.

Skunk - 250 on the island, of which 40 are within the park boundaries. Number increasing slightly.

Woodchuck - 20 on the island, of which 3 are within the park boundaries. Slowly increasing in number.

Gray Squirrel - 20 on the island, of which 3 are within the park boundaries. Slowly increasing in number.

Mink - 40 on the island, of which 7 are within the park boundaries.

Varying Hare - 500 on the island, of which 80 are within the park boundaries. Increasing appreciably in number.

The approximate numbers of smaller mammals, such as mice, shrews, and certain species of squirrels, are not known.

- Temporary Park Naturalist