This common:
I updated the tallies this morning to reflect activity since November. We added New Mexico, Louisiana and Kentucky. Bringing our state total to 39. This means only 11 states in the country managed to avoid having beaver issues in urban areas last year. And one of them was Hawaii.
That makes our urban beaver chapter pretty relevant. Don’t you think?
I have a beautiful gift to start the new year right, a quirky treat from the ages, and a lovely welcome to the annum from Napa. I’ll start with the schadenfreude because that’s just the kind of woman I am. This stories so good it needed a soundtrack.
Damaging dams nets fines
Three North Bay men have been fined a total of $3,000 for damaging beaver dams in the North RBay, Powassan and Mattawa areas using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
Court heard that ministry conservation officers received information about online videos and 
photographs showing individuals using their ATVs to damage beaver dams. With the assistance of the ministry’s intelligence unit, the videos were located and the ATV riders were identified. The videos showed the ATV riders driving on the beaver dams and spinning their tires. This caused the dams to open up, which allowed large volumes of fast-flowing water to flood and wash out the trails and surrounding area.
Each man was fined $1,000.
Did you get that? A three thousand dollar fine for riding those horrible atv’s over a beaver dam, which caused a washout and flooded some homes. I’m sure this maple leaf of justice couldn’t happen to a nicer trio. Honestly, that photo really did appear with the article. (I just added a few finishing touches.)
The public is reminded that it is an offence to damage or destroy a beaver dam without the ministry’s authorization. Destroying a beaver dam can cause flooding, property damage, public safety concerns and fish and wildlife habitat damage. The ministry encourages the public to use public lands respectfully and responsibly so that they are preserved for future generations.
Oh Canada!
Now for some follow-up to the beaver flinging story, which you will remember because every single person you ever met probably sent you the article. Seems a man who consigned one of those beavers to his fate heard the article and wanted to reminisce.
One Man Remembers Meeting Some Of Idaho’s Parachuting Beavers
Finally some Napa goodness that won’t impair your judgment or lighten your wallet. Robin Ellison filmed this last night at the Tulocay Beaver pond when she was payed a visit by one of their six month old kits. Remember the most adorable birth defect ever? Check out that curling tail.
