Beaver Island, Falkland Islands

Beaver Island (Isla San Rafael) is one of the Beaver Island group of Falkland Islands. It lies west of Weddell Island and south of New Island and has an area of 4856 ha.

Other islands in the group include Staats Island, with an area of 500 ha; Tea Island, which covers 310 ha; Governor Island, which covers 220 ha; Split Island, with an area of 70 ha and a few smaller islands. Though the smaller islands in the group are low-lying, the larger islands are very hilly, with many peaks of more than 150 m and some more than 200 m. The highest elevation in the Beaver Island Group is 234 m.

History and population
Beaver Island was named after the whaling vessel "Beaver" which was recorded as being the first whaling ship to double Cape Horn.

Beaver Settlement lies on the island, with an airstrip nearby. It is owned by Sally and Jerome Poncet.

Wildlife
Wildlife on the island includes gentoo penguins, South American gray foxes (introduced, not to be confused with the Falkland Islands wolf), peregrine falcons, crested and striated caracaras, guanacos, fur seals, and many seabirds. Beds of kelp can be found offshore.

The Beaver Island Group has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area. At least 40 species have been recorded, with 34 known to breed there. Species for which the group is an important breeding site include Falkland steamer ducks (245 pairs), gentoo penguins (2850 pairs), Magellanic penguins (2000 pairs), and southern giant petrels (300 pairs).