Be Kind to Beavers
The Issue
We, the residents of Homestead Village, are appalled by the recent actions taken against the beavers who reside in our wetland stream.
This summer, a beaver den on Homestead Village Drive became home for some beavers. A trapper was called in and the beavers were killed using primitive and inhumane practices that resulted in unnecessary suffering for these innocent creatures who were not causing property damage or disruption to our community. The beavers' removal, called "preventative," relied upon the use of underwater Conibear traps that cause immense suffering. The victims of these traps are either slowly crushed or drowned, which may take up to 15 horrific minutes. They die of shock, suffocation, starvation or dehydration. The traps also pose a threat to other protected wildlife as these traps are non-discriminatory.
There has never been a flooding issue due to the presence of beavers in our wetland stream. Of note, this is not the first incident of lethal action taken against beavers. It was quietly enforced in 2019 as well. Research demonstrates that lethal beaver control is completely ineffective. As the Humane Society explains, killing the beavers "only creates a vacuum into which new beavers will move, often sooner rather than later." Moreover, countless humane methods and deterrent devices could have been utilized instead that would yield greater efficacy in the long run.
Our wetland stream dries up by mid August and the beavers move to other areas. At that time, any beaver dens and/or dams could be dismantled without harm to the beavers. Beavers share our wetlands resources and living in harmony is our obligation to them. This kind of cruel and inhumane action does not reflect the values of the residents of this community.
We, the residents of Homestead Village, strongly oppose this action taken against these beavers. We ask both the HOA and Spinnaker Management for transparency and inclusivity of the entire Homestead Village community in future conversations about how to manage beaver life on our property before any actions are taken against them.
Petition Closed
The Issue
We, the residents of Homestead Village, are appalled by the recent actions taken against the beavers who reside in our wetland stream.
This summer, a beaver den on Homestead Village Drive became home for some beavers. A trapper was called in and the beavers were killed using primitive and inhumane practices that resulted in unnecessary suffering for these innocent creatures who were not causing property damage or disruption to our community. The beavers' removal, called "preventative," relied upon the use of underwater Conibear traps that cause immense suffering. The victims of these traps are either slowly crushed or drowned, which may take up to 15 horrific minutes. They die of shock, suffocation, starvation or dehydration. The traps also pose a threat to other protected wildlife as these traps are non-discriminatory.
There has never been a flooding issue due to the presence of beavers in our wetland stream. Of note, this is not the first incident of lethal action taken against beavers. It was quietly enforced in 2019 as well. Research demonstrates that lethal beaver control is completely ineffective. As the Humane Society explains, killing the beavers "only creates a vacuum into which new beavers will move, often sooner rather than later." Moreover, countless humane methods and deterrent devices could have been utilized instead that would yield greater efficacy in the long run.
Our wetland stream dries up by mid August and the beavers move to other areas. At that time, any beaver dens and/or dams could be dismantled without harm to the beavers. Beavers share our wetlands resources and living in harmony is our obligation to them. This kind of cruel and inhumane action does not reflect the values of the residents of this community.
We, the residents of Homestead Village, strongly oppose this action taken against these beavers. We ask both the HOA and Spinnaker Management for transparency and inclusivity of the entire Homestead Village community in future conversations about how to manage beaver life on our property before any actions are taken against them.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on September 19, 2021