Introduction
Before the start of the twentieth-century, the need for the fur as well as food from the animals almost led to its extinction in Labrador and Newfoundland. In the years between 1968 and 1971, the insular Newfoundland was pictured and divided into twelve management areas I order to establish beaver traplines. Most notably, a quarter of those sections had traplines already. The initiative was promoted by radio, newspapers, letters, and television to trappers. Supporting laws were developed as well as approved by relevant authorities. Of three hundred and ten registered trappers, seventy-five percent were seasonal employees, fifteen percent worked fulltime and the rest were retired.
The average age of the trappers was forty-six years old, with individuals between fifty and fifty-nine being most common. Regarding size, the lands averaged fifty-seven km2. This establishment increased the population of beavers harvested every year by a single person from six to nine. If interest in trapping exists, it is possible to implement a trapline system on both private and public lands for beaver management by making arrangements between trappers and landowners. Currently, almost every province in Canada has a registered trapline for harvesting furbearers. They are managed to some degree by a single trapper and registered with the provincial government, often with proper legislation.
Additionally, some provinces such as the Northwest Territories, the Yukon Territory, and Labrador have traplines inherited from fathers to sons in family settings. A trapline system can lead to better control of the furbearer populace for two reasons. The first is that trappers will attempt to harvest a sustained yield since they return to the same places every year. Information concerning population size, gather, and location is easier to get by the wildlife agency sue to the trappers being informed and easily contacted. Around thirty-five percent of the trappers do not focus on other furbearers. Having all the latter in a trapline system might lead to less harvest of the beavers or furbearers on certain traplines. This paper studies the current management of the beavers, controversial issues and recommendations on how to manage them better.
Current Management of the Beavers in Newfoundland
Beavers are managed via a trapline system on Newfoundland island. For trappers, only those that have been allowed to hold a trapline can lawfully possess a license to conduct their activities. If an individual desires to be placed on a list once there is a vacancy, they are needed to submit a request to the Wildlife Division (Blewett et al., 2021). The trappers are required to harvest a minimum of five beavers in one season unless justification is presented in a different way. If not conducted, the trapline may face cancellation as well as being assigned to someone else. In case an individual chooses not to gather the species on their trapline as a result of small populace size, it is necessary that they communicate the same to the Wildlife Division. The goal is to ensure that there are no conflicts among the trappers so that there is effective trapping.
High local interest in trapping could lead to numerous small traplines located in places of a high beaver population. Such lines would be adequate in accommodating majority of the trappers but insufficient for other furbearers. Thus, it is fitting that only the species was considered for management. In Newfoundland, trapping is as essential as the supplemental winter income (Payne, 1975). The animals deserve reasonable control due to their financial value. Apart from, being hunted and trapped, they also attract tourists and research scientists who pay to watch and study them. Regulations allow temporary closure of traplines to ensure that the population size recovers. Unless it can be demonstrated that a particular individual is responsible for the decline, the person will be considered first once it is confirmed that trapping can happen again in the specific area. A yield of five beavers does not necessarily show appropriate use of the trapline.
A trapper is advised that a proper harvest is equal to a single animal per active lodge. High densities and increasing problem constraints may lead to the cancellation of traplines if adequate numbers are not yielded (Blewett et al., 2021). The individuals in the business are reminded that many issues are reported every year concerning property damage, flooded roadways and culverts, and the presence of animals in water sources. When pelts are not prime, it is essential that nuisance beavers be eliminated in summer and spring seasons. The trappers are also asked not to lose sight of the potential problems that may arise during their activities.
Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture requires that stamping of pelts continue to be delivered through it in an attempt to accommodate all trappers, especially those residing in remote places. According to Newfoundland Fur Zones (2022), the policies and guidelines dictate that every beaver be pelted as well as stamped by two weeks after closing of the season. Additionally, the trappers are obligated to complete as well as submit data on the animals to the Wildlife Division. It is unlawful for a registered beaver trapper to accept species caught by other people from a trapline that is not theirs. This is deemed illegal since it jeopardizes the management approach for the animals. General trappers have to surrender to the owner those caught unintentionally (Curley et al., 2019). Apart from preventing conflicts, this allows for a fairground for every individual participating in the business.
The various departments concerned with the preservation of the beaver species have actively advocated against developments in the breeding grounds. This is mainly due to the harm or damage that faces the habitats of the animals. Building roads and schools means that the species are left with less space than before. In the last ten years, the amount of space available for the animals has continuously reduced to the extent some of them have to search for other homes. This has resulted in many being killed in the process and consequently reducing the population size. The trappers are encouraged to join in the campaigns about conservation since they also have environmental responsibility. Authorities are also requested to stop any further developmental projects in the area since there are wealthy individuals that may be involved in land grabbing.
Controversial Issues in the Management of the Beavers
The increase in the beaver population in Newfoundland has had some adverse effects; therefore, they need to be controlled. These rodents are mainly found in the forested parts of North America. Beavers are the national symbol of Canada; many landmarks are named after the animal. When beavers get to two years old, they leave their parents’ homes to build their own. Therefore, an increase in population means many beavers are looking to build homes along rivers and in dams. Beavers are found both on land and in water, but they make their homes in water bodies. Beavers also prefer forested areas to access wood for building and flat topography that supports slow-moving rivers that enable their homes to remain stable.
Beavers rely on wood as their food source, and they do store it in the form of caches for the winter season. Although beavers have little need to hibernate, hunting for food in the winter may be a challenge, and it is convenient if they have food reserves. The beavers can access the stored food in the bottom mud to avoid breaking through the ice covering water bodies. Beavers also feed on young trees, which are more accessible to fell. Flooding is caused when beavers take branches to build their homes and dam the rivers. Therefore, landowners are at a disadvantage, and this causes human-animal conflict. Pond levelers assist with the river blockages by ensuring the water flows accordingly and that the beaver homes are manageable. Culverts that drain water are fenced to prevent beavers from building, thus blocking the flow.
Fencing off sections of forests helps protect tree covers from the beavers that fall them down to construct their homes. Wrapping trees with wire will ensure their protection; this will, in turn, preserve endangered trees and forest cover. People that want to maintain their trees can paint the bottom trunks. This activity is fun and purposeful; painting should be done at least two feet off the ground to keep the beavers. However, painting should be limited to avoid starving off the beavers completely. These methods are easy to enact and ensure that humans and beavers live in harmony in the same habitat. If the beavers become pests to farmers and homeowners, the forestry and wildlife officers can be called to help safely handle the situation.
Similar to other animals, beavers are essential to the ecosystem. Beavers provide nutritious food for their predators, and their numbers are necessary for survival. Another use is that they make sure the water table is higher by damming for their homes; this prevents fire and drought. The dams attract fish, insects, and other wildlife. Farmers also use the dammed water to irrigate their plants; they filter out pollution making the water safe. They also filter toxins by absorbing them, therefore, controlling nutrients in their ecosystem, especially in the rivers. Beavers are peaceful unless they feel threatened. The dam beavers construct store excess water and prevent flooding down the river by slow release.
Additionally, the dams reduce the speed at which the water flows, thus preventing erosion along river banks. Water dammed helps to give it enough time to seep down the soil and therefore increase drinking water aquafers instead of just flowing away. Preserving the wetlands as a whole helps remove pollutants, too, as semi-aquatic and aquatic plants absorb toxins such as heavy metals and break them down. Other contaminants include farm chemicals carried into rivers by irrigation streams such as pesticides and fertilizers. All these benefits are experienced both in the beaver territory and downstream, where the purified water quenches.
As the world is experiencing climate change, beavers are essential in ensuring wetlands effectively support their ecosystem. Their dams store water that evaporates to bring forth rain, and the cycle continues guaranteeing the climate is maintained. Temperatures are also regulated, keeping the hot and dry climatic conditions a bay. Beavers live close together but only close family members; foreigners may cause fights in their community. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that their habitat can accommodate their numbers. They control their population to avoid overpopulation, bringing stiff competition for food and shelter. Thus, beavers only reproduce when there is a surplus in these two factors. They are hunted by coyotes and wolves, having natural predators assist with population regulation.
In water, beavers are safer since their predators are land animals. They are also vulnerable to air predators such as owls and eagles, especially the kits. In water, the young ones are hunted by otters when left unattended. Beavers have solid teeth and defend themselves by delivering damaging bites to their attackers (Northcott, 1971). Humans are the beaver’s greatest predator compared to all others because their traps take their victims effortlessly. According to Trapping Seasons and Zones (2022), by lethally hunting down their population, overpopulation may be experienced. In a study conducted, females in hunted territories became sexually mature faster than those in preserved environments (Curley, et al. 2019). Therefore, this method has proven counterproductive and fails to serve its purpose. Finding ways to live in harmony with beavers is better and more human than hunting them down. Beavers are in danger from humans hunting them for their fur to support fashion trends. Humans further exploit wetlands essential for the beaver population; they drain the wetlands to practice agriculture.
Educating the public on the importance of beavers to the ecosystem is one way to help conserve their numbers. Beavers should be preserved for their numbers to recover. Sometimes they lose their lives while crossing highways constructed through their habitat. Erecting fences to keep them in the protected areas is essential to prevent the number of road-kill incidences. Moreover, reducing beaver hunting seasons was a significant contributor to their recovery (Radková, et al., 2020). Although their numbers are considered reasonable, the main issue is the human-beaver conflict.
The first instinct in controlling beavers as a pest is trapping and killing them, but there are better ways to mitigate this conflict. The animals are accused of carrying Giardia duodenalis, which also affects humans. Repellants have been used on beavers, but they have effects such as the deformation of Kits. Humans can try safe methods, for instance, using frightening devices as beavers have excellent sight and hearing, lights and noise will scare them. The beavers could be trapped alive and relocated to safe reserves away from human settlements. Ways of trapping meant to kill, such as the Conibear method, often fail to kill immediately, and instead, the animal is just maimed, dying slowly and painfully.
Recommendations
The use of foothold traps can help manage beavers. Foothold traps are intended to get hold of an animal by foot. The majorly used foothold traps include long springs and coil springs. It is often recommended to consider the size of the animal before setting up a foothold trap. This is because a foothold trap that is too large compared with the intended animal to be restrained may grip the animal on a very high point on the leg and cause injury. According to Beaver Problem Mitigation (2022), there are laws in different parts of North America that categorize the sizes of the foothold traps to use on land. Some methods might not only be ineffective but also negatively affect the population of the beavers.
The use of tree cages can help manage beavers from destroying trees. Tree cages are like cylinders made of galvanized welded wires which are wrapped on trees. According to When Beaver met Salmon: how fish-friendly flow devices keep their relationship moving forward (2021), the trunk is covered, leaving a space on all sides to allow growth and expansion of the tree. This prevents the beavers from leaning on the trees or gnawing on the fences. Some trees with large roots which are exposed also need to be wrapped with these tree cages to prevent the beavers from destroying them.
Thirdly, painting of tree trunks with latex or the sand used in masonry prevents beavers from gnawing and damaging trees. This is not only applied on trees but also on seawalls and other wooden structures. Although this method is effective in managing the beavers from destroying trees, it is not applicable to trees less than 6 meters tall or the newly planted trees (Blewett et al., 2021). This is because it may prevent them from breathing, thus hindering their growth. The use of a mixture of latex and sand successfully manages beavers’ destruction on trees and sea walls.
The use of shoreline barriers helps manage beaver destruction on plantings on the shoreline. According to Beaver Baffler Project for Shinney’s Brook (2022), these barriers may include fencing using galvanized wire which is coated with black plastic since it is often referred on wooden structures as unobtrusive. To prevent the beaver’s destruction on the lakeshore and also maintain its beauty of it, fencing is required to be placed at a significant distance from the edge of the water. Therefore, the use of shoreline not only helps manage beavers’ destruction on the seashore plantings but also helps maintain its beauty. In conclusion, beavers cause destruction to our surrounding. Some of the effects, if ignored for a long period of time, can be hazardous. Several techniques, including the use of shoreline barriers, painting of tree trunks using a mixture of masonry sand and latex, use of tree cages and foothold traps, are some of the recommendations in managing beavers.
It is important to protect the habitat of the beavers since this has a direct influence on the population of the species. Policies and regulations need to be established to prevent any developmental activities in areas near the traplines. Individuals who may desire to establish buildings or expand roads near the places need to be stopped. Once the homes are destroyed, they have to search for other breeding grounds which might be hard and thus, extinction in an area. Additionally, the laws should be implemented against excessive harvesting of the animals.
Conclusion
The paper has highlighted the history of beaver harvesting in Newfoundland. In Canada, almost all provinces have at least one trapline for the yielding activity. The facilities are not only managed but registered under the name of a single or more trappers. The paper has also revealed that apart from legal acquisition or ownership of a trapping ground, it is possible for someone to possess one as a result of inheritance. Some of the provinces that allow this include the Northwest Territories, the Yukon Territory, and Labrador. In the management of the animals regarding their population, a trapline system is implemented.
References
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