MONTREAL — Verdun resident Pierre Desilets has been walking on a path near the water with his dogs every day for at least ten years.
But he says the scenery has seen some major changes over the last few years.
“Whole areas now are grass whereas they were fully forested before, so it’s been shocking really,” said Desilets.
It is all the work of beavers.
The busy critters are chewing trees away to the point that the borough says they’re falling onto bike and walking paths.
“It’s been incredible, we’ve lost about two thirds of the big trees,” said Desilets.
This is not a new problem; the borough has been trying to control the issue for a while.
READ MORE: Verdun trying to deal with menacing beavers
And they are using traps to do so, something the Montreal SPCA disapproves of.
“We’re outraged,” said Anita Kapuscinska, an SPCA spokesperson.
“They’ve done this in the past where they have trapped and killed beavers, they even confirmed it wasn’t even successful.”
That’s why the animal advocates have proposed a different option.
“We’re hoping that they can implement some very simple solutions,” said Kapuscinska.
“Wired cages that go around the bigger trees to protect those trees — hence protect people — in a more efficient way,” explained Kapuscinska.
No one was available for an interview on the matter at City Hall.
In a statement to Global News, the borough said that although they are sensitive to the issue raised by the SPCA, they also have to have to protect their trees and citizen, adding that the method they use is approved by the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks.
The SPCA and the borough will meet in the new year to discuss.
And with the future of the furry visitors up in the air, Desilets’ message for City Hall is don’t go against the stream.
“I’m divided really, but I’d say find a better way… but if you can’t, just let the beavers be.”
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