Beavers have made it into the news lately in three countries but their public approval is mixed. Some folk have decided to work with them, some are ready to do away with them, and some are dragging their heels about legislation to protect them.
Meaning Christmas eve-eve is pretty much like any other Sunday as far as beavers are concerned.
A live-and-let-live compromise for land-flooding beavers
The Aamjiwnaang First Nation and neighbouring Suncor Energy think they’ve found an agreeable solution to one big dam problem.
Beavers moved into the area in 2011 and built dams on forested lands that caused flooding and even impacted operations at the refinery’s East Tank Farm.
“This was causing a lot of damage to trees in the area as well as safety issues for our community members” said Jessica Pickett, Aamjiwnaang’s lands manager.
“And the flooding caused infrastructure concerns.”
The Aamjiwnaang is the current name of the Objibwe located above Ohio between lakes Heron and Eerie. Who do you suppose they went to for help with their beaver problem?
“This was causing a lot of damage to trees in the area as well as safety issues for our community members” said Jessica Pickett, Aamjiwnaang’s lands manager. “And the flooding caused infrastructure concerns.”
A species-at-risk technician with the band suggested building dam bypasses, and corrugated pipe made of heavy plastic was installed beneath the dams, allowing some water to flow through the area without disturbing the beavers. So far so good, Pickett said.
“It was nice to see everyone sitting down, working together and listening to each other,” she said. “By drawing on the expertise of everyone and valuing each other’s contributions, we were able to address an issue of mutual concern.”
Whoever it was seems to have had the right idea. Good for them. Now the beavers can stick around and bring more birds fish and wildlife to that forest floor. Nicely done, team Aamjiwnaang .
Nothing like those flailing losers at the county airport a few states over in Wisconsin.
County Airport dealing with ongoing beaver problem
BURNETT COUNTY–– “It’s been frustrating, so we had to bring in a guy to come in and do some beaver trapping,” Airport Manager Chuck Shultz told the infrastructure committee last week. “It’s a private trapper that the DNR in Grantsburg suggested.”
Mike Rod, of Falun, is an independent trapper and has been helping trap the beavers in Siren since July. He is often the recommended trapper in the County.
“This is a pretty common thing for Burnett County,” Rod said. “It’s hard to tell how many are left out there.”
You know that old saying. “If at first you don’t succeed. trap, trap again.”
Rod explained that the beavers live in a 30-40 acre area surrounding the airport. In that area, they have built five different dams.
Shultz said the dams create giant pools of water at the airport and the nuisance beavers are the main concern.
“We’ve trapped four beavers so far,” Rod recalled. “And we’ll take down those dams in the spring.”
Shultz explained that the beavers have been creating dams in the area surrounding the airfield and not where the committee thought they were doing damage near Old 35.
“They were even going in and out of a culvert we got out there,” Shultz said. “We put up a crusher screen to block the entry off.”
You’re kidding! Beavers going into a culvert? That almost never always happens! I’m so sorry your thick airport heads had to deal with this trying furry problem.
Sheesh.
A final beaver outrage comes from our friends in Scotland, who are still waiting for protection for the free beavers of the Tayside.
Legislation to protect beavers delayed as Tay colonies face ‘persecution’
The Scottish Government has still not introduced legislation to protect beavers despite revealing it would do so more than two years ago. A Green MSP said the animals are being killed in a free-for-all while ministers stall on the issue.
The Tayside population of the Eurasian species emerged from private owners illegally releasing them into the wild – and have caused problems for farmers.
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announced in November 2016 that the semiaquatic rodents would get legal protection. A year ago she said legislation would be brought forward in the first half of 2018. The Scottish Government now says it will be done next year.
Mark Ruskell, the Scottish Green MSP, said: “It’s disappointing that a year on from the promise of legislation we’re still waiting.
It’s a long road to freedom that’s for sure. Not just for beavers, by the way.
“This vacuum has allowed persecution to continue, with animals still being shot.
“Bringing beavers back from extinction is making a huge contribution to restoring Scotland’s wetland habitats, boosting biodiversity while helping natural flood management.
“Giving this iconic species the proper protection it deserves would show that the Scottish Government aren’t just paying lip service to issues of animal welfare.”
Separate to the Tay colonies, beavers were released in Argyll in 2009 in an official trial.
The government announced in 2016 that both populations could remain.
Of course farmer’s are still complaining that they’re building dams that cost them thousand of dollars to remove. And you know how everyone is scared to upset the farmers. This could take a while to sort out.
No easy walk to freedom.
