July 15, 2010
(Red Deer, Alberta) – Two private landowners offered today to provide space on their properties for Three Mile Bend’s aggressive beaver and its family if The City of Red Deer is able to relocate the problem animal.
This offer could eliminate the need to use the fatal trapping measures if relocation is found to be a feasible solution, said Trevor Poth, Parks Superintendent with The City.
“We are eager to explore whether the beaver could be relocated to private property, where it will not be encroaching on the territory of other beavers or a continued risk to the public,” said Poth. “The City considers fatal trapping for dangerous animals only as a last resort, so if we have the option to move the beaver safely, we will certainly take that approach.”
The City is currently consulting with its contracted trapper as to whether relocating the beaver is a viable option. Once a decision has been made, The City will release additional information.
Public safety is a key consideration in determining if the beaver should be relocated, according to Poth. “We are, of course, concerned about the welfare of wildlife in our park system – but The City has a greater responsibility to ensure the welfare of our citizens. Because this situation is not an isolated incident but, rather, a series of escalating incidences of aggression, we have to address the problem appropriately, with public safety as our number-one priority.”
The City also wants to remind residents that they must have control of their pets, through either audible or hand signals, at all times when in an off-leash area. Dog walkers are also required to carry leashes at all times and should leash their pets whenever they encounter wildlife.
Reports of beaver attacks at Three Mile Bend began last week, prompting City staff to erect signage in the off-leash park advising park users to be cautious of wildlife in the area. The City began to consider removing the aggressive beaver following the attack and subsequent death of a dog in the park over the weekend.
While park users must maintain control of their dogs while in an off-leash park, the escalating nature of these attacks necessitates swift action to reduce the threat to the public.
More information about beaver management in the city can be found at www.reddeer.ca/parks.
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For more information, please contact:
Trevor Poth
Parks Superintendent
The City of Red Deer
403-342-8372
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