The first week of 2018 wasn’t so bad, was it? This morning there is a big profile on a plucky young beaver trapper cluttering up my mailbox, but I don’t have the strength of character to tackle that much podsnappery this early in the year. (And yes that IS a word that I just learned, and I love it very much, thank you.) So if we can’t talk about an article that glorifies trappers, lets do the opposite instead.
Calls for state-sponsored trapping and removal of beaver family in the north to stop
Angry campaigners have called for a state-sponsored trapping and removal of a beaver family in the Highlands to stop.
Three beavers died in the first phase of the controversial Scottish Natural Heritage operation, which was ordered by Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham last year. And now, Labour MSP David Stewart is backing conservation charity Trees For Life in its calls for a consultation before any further trapping takes place near Beauly.
Mr Stewart said: “It is concerning that the organisation has written three times to Ms Cunningham since she announced her decision to trap the beaver family but the Secretary has not replied,” explained Mr Stewart. “Strathglass appears to be completely different to Tayside in that the beavers have never caused any difficulties for land managers and most of the community has been unaware of their presence.
“I believe the Scottish Government needs to listen to local views on this issue and I back the call for a full consultation with the community before there is any action to capture the remaining beavers. I would hate to see more beavers dying after being trapped.”
Alan McDonnell, Trees for Life Conservation Manager, explained: ‘We simply don’t understand why the Secretary is in such a rush to take these beavers from the wild without even considering other options or listening to what local people think.” Alice Clifford, Strathglass landowner added: “The beavers have been here for years now, but they haven’t caused anyone any problems – in fact most people didn’t even know they existed.
“The trapping has been a complete overreaction from the Government and a lot of people here are very upset that it has led to beavers dying in captivity.” Trees for Life was studying Strathglass when workers discovered a beaver family in June last year on the River Beauly with two generations of young and the breeding pair had clearly been active for nearly three years.
Did you hear that? Stop trapping our beavers! And let people weigh in on the decisions you make from hear on in. I like the way that sounds. The government has its priorities mixed up. If you want to raise your picket fence by a foot you have to apply for a variance by posting signs and writing every one of your neighbors of your plan. But if you want to kill the only beavers in the county – or the country – that’s just fine.
In California we have so little influence on who gets to trap beavers. My annual PRA request for beaver depredation permits is required by law to happen in 90 days. At day 100 they wrote me this
???
I wrote back with polite incredulity and said are you saying that zero beavers in california have been depredated? Or that you no longer keep track of the ones that are? And if this represents a policy shift please send me the statute so I’m aware of it.
Which prompted an immediate phone call from too-cheerful CDFG attorney saying “OHHHH those records! We didn’t understand! The request went to the wrong place. We’ll take care of it now!”
Meanwhile its day 133 since my request and I’m still waiting.
Tonight is the annual beaver guardians ravioli feed, so you’ll understand if I have to dash this morning and straighten the curtains, count the silverware, or refrigerate the champagne. Our tiny living room is now filled with a table set for 12 and we sat in folding chairs last night. These great folks are coming of course, sadly, minus one. and joyfully plus 2. There are so many more that should be there, but you would need a can-opener to fit one more body in our shabby victorian, so they will have to wait.
We finished dipping the beaver tails in chocolate yesterday, and 300 raviolis are made and at the ready so we’re ready for show time! Wish us and beavers luck.
