And that stands for beavers of course! First the beavers make the news, and then the alarmist exaggerating assholes respond. Isn’t that what we learned in Martinez? Since the beaver sighting in Devon has been picked up by the BBC and Guardian, everyone is talking about it. (Pardon my language, I honestly searched for an appropriate synonym – but there just isn’t one adequately descriptive.)
WMN Letters: Beware! This could lead to beaver fever
These dog-sized rodents get great PR from the so-called environmentalists who support them. But do the same people ever remind us of increasing attacks on humans by beavers in Europe, leading to the death of a fisherman just last year? Or the number of pet dogs, some husky sized, killed by beavers in Canada?
Do you want your children playing in streams or kayaking on lakes where there will soon be potentially aggressive beavers?
Can you possibly read this man’s letter to the editor without hearing this soundtrack? I surely can’t.
They block watercourses and love using bridges or culverts to form their dams. At a time when river maintenance is such an issue, can anyone suggest to those farmers and homeowners, suffering flooding, that a further impediment to water flow is a good idea?
These giant members of the rat family naturally urinate and defecate in the waters they inhabit. Their faeces carries giardia, micro-organisms which lead to the severe intestinal sickness, giardiasis, which is better known as beaver fever. Cases soar in areas where beavers share water with summer recreational activities. In the South West this would mean that not only will those enjoying our lakes and rivers be at serious risk but so will those using all the beaches where that water discharges across the sand.
After these rats flood your city and attack your dogs and children, they’ll ruthlessly poop in your water and give you disease! Are you really sorry we killed off these menaces in the 1400s? I don’t believe the author missed a single alarm bell. He says his name is Jonathan Batchelor, but I have to wonder if that’s a pun – is it possible that someone named batchelor really writes letters against beavers? We’re in danger of moving from Music man right to Professor Higgins territory.
(And if that really is his name, I for one can’t understand how a the ladies of the UK let this sweet catch slip through their fingers!)
Now for some good cheer from our old friend and burrowing owl guru Scott Artis. Scott is the driving force behind Urban Birds. If his name sounds familiar it should, it’s at the bottom of the page as the re-designer of this website. He apparently has endless talents he can’t wait to try. Where’s the beaver cartoon, I ask you?
Finally, today’s donation comes from Brooke Stone Jewelry, an artist in Eugene Oregon. 
Get your check book ready for this lovely sterling silver beaver print and go like her generosity on facebook!
