|
Living Peacefully with Beavers
Introduction
Both beavers and people substantially alter the environment for our own benefit. For beavers, dam-building is an instinctive survival skill. The dam provides a pond which surrounds and protects the beavers from predators, and gives the beavers access to food sources that they can swim to (since beavers are much more adept swimming than on land).
Beavers feed primarily on the inner bark of woody plants, but also eat leaves, shoots, duckweed, water lilies, and pondweed. The sound, feel and sight of running water stimulates beavers to build and to repair dams.
Benefits of Beaver Activities and Beaver Ponds
- Create and sustain wetlands
- Act as a reservoir to impound and store water, therefore reducing flooding events further down stream.
- Allow sediments and toxic materials to filter out of watersheds before they can harm aquatic ecosystems
- Create biodiversity and provide habitat for both plants and animals, some of whom may be threatened or endangered.
Trapping
Trapping is extremely cruel. The conibear trap often kills beavers slowly and painfully. Even if the beavers are killed, it is probable that more beavers will move in to the same area. As compassionate people, we should always opt for the non-lethal alternatives when they are available, as in this case.
Humane Solutions
There are several different types of structures that prevent beavers from causing damage.
"Bafflers" or "levelers" control the water level without disturbing the beavers. Well-designed dam pipes create a permanent leak in the beaver dam and prevent beavers from detecting the flow of water into the pipe. These flow devices keep the water level constant and prevent flooding.
The Beaver Deceiver?, invented right here in Vermont! is another effective device. Deceivers are trapezoid-shaped fences built around points of vulnerability like easily plugged culvert openings. These fences extend outward to create an area large enough to discourage damming and to keep beavers away from the moving water that triggers dam building. These devices are both economical and long-lasting.
Towns in Connecticut and Massachusetts have successfully used humane methods to prevent flooding from beavers.
For more information about beavers:
HSUS Beaver Information
For more information about living peacefully with beavers:
Solving Problems with Beavers
Beavers - Wetlands and Wildlife
Back
|
