A convoluted going in circles PR answer and my response back
Date: Tue, Oct 6, 2026, 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: PNS-76133-M9V8H1: [Nicole Corrado] Stop killing beavers CRM:0449485
To: DNR Correspondence < DNRCorrespondence@novascotia.ca
Date: Tue, Oct 6, 2026, 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: PNS-76133-M9V8H1: [Nicole Corrado] Stop killing beavers CRM:0449485
To: DNR Correspondence <DNRCorrespondence@novascotia.ca>
Cc: Correspondence Prem <Correspondenceprem@novascotia.ca>, Hope For Wildlife <hope@hopeforwildlife.net>, Hope For Wildlife <info@hopeforwildlife.net>, Fur Bearers <michael@thefurbearers.com>, Office, Clerks <clerks@halifax.ca>, <mayor@halifax.ca>, <cathy.deaglegammon@halifax.ca>, <david.hendsbee@halifax.ca>, <becky.kent@halifax.ca>, <trish.purdy@halifax.ca>, <sam.austin@halifax.ca>, <tony.mancini@halifax.ca>, White, Laura <laura.white@halifax.ca>, <virginia.hinch@halifax.ca>, <shawn.cleary@halifax.ca>, <kathryn.morse@halifax.ca>, Cuttell, Patricia <cuttelp@halifax.ca>, <janet.steele@halifax.ca>, <nancy.hartling@halifax.ca>, <john.young@halifax.ca>, <billy.gillis@halifax.ca>, <jean.st-amand@halifax.ca>, <leahmartinmla@gmail.com>, <bradmcgowanMLA@gmail.com>
What I gather from this email is that killing this family of beavers was completely pointless, since yet another family of beavers has moved in. And it seems like you are possibly admitting to either killing baby beavers, or bringing them to Hope For Wildlife. It also sounds like this killing has gone on for years. So how many more mom, dad, and child beavers are you going to drown and/or shoot? At what point do we decide to never kill again? Next time, if you have to "remove" beavers, bring the entire family to Hope For Wildlife while engineering efforts can be done to change the environment to prevent further conflicts. The same beavers can then be placed back, or relocated to an area that has no beavers but needs beavers. Stop calling shooting beavers "management".
Please use non lethal methods exclusively. https://thefurbearers.com/blog/applications-open-for-the-beaver-institute-scholarship-2026/
Please note that while the DNR is in charge of wildlife permitting, the Regional Municipality of Halifax has a legal right to ban traps and guns at the municipal level, and has the legal right to exclusively use non lethal methods, and has the legal right to work with humane organizations like Hope For Wildlife. I noticed that the Regional Municipality of Halifax already has some preliminary laws regarding parks, and other municipalities across Canada have even stricter laws. https://thefurbearers.com/our-work/commercial-trapping/trapping-bylaws/
Please create a non lethal humane wildlife coexistence strategy that is open to the public and works with Hope For Wildlife and the animals.
I hope to see better next year.
On Tue, Oct 6, 2026, 11:25 AM DNR Correspondence <DNRCorrespondence@novascotia.ca> wrote:
Dear Nicole Corrado:
I am responding to your correspondence regarding recent wildlife management actions involving beavers at Cranberry Lake in Dartmouth on behalf of the Premier.
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. I understand your concern for the welfare of the beavers and appreciate you sharing your perspective. Many Nova Scotians care deeply about wildlife, and I recognize that news of animals being removed can be upsetting. Your letter reflects a genuine concern for animal welfare and the protection of Nova Scotia's natural environment.
Beavers are an important native species and valuable ecosystem engineers. The wetlands they create support biodiversity, improve water retention, and provide habitat for many other species. The Department of Natural Resources recognizes these benefits and values the important role beavers play in healthy ecosystems across the province. The wildlife professionals involved in managing these situations also care deeply about conservation and wildlife stewardship.
For that reason, the Department's approach is always to support coexistence between people and wildlife wherever possible. Prevention, mitigation, and non-lethal management measures are considered and implemented whenever they can effectively address the issue. Removal of wildlife is not a first response and is only considered when other options have been evaluated and are no longer providing an effective or sustainable solution.
The Department's involvement at Cranberry Lake reflects many years of efforts to manage recurring beaver-related flooding and infrastructure concerns while supporting opportunities for coexistence wherever feasible. Over time, a variety of management approaches were explored and implemented, including periodic dam lowering, ongoing monitoring, and the use of water-flow management devices intended to reduce conflicts while allowing beavers to remain at the site.
While coexistence measures can be effective in many situations, no single management tool is successful in every circumstance. Wildlife management decisions must consider site-specific conditions, long-term effectiveness, environmental impacts, public infrastructure protection, public safety, and animal welfare. Experience gained through managing the area over many years helped inform the assessment of available options at Cranberry Lake.
You noted that removing the dam may have been preferable to removing the beavers. Dam management was among the approaches considered and used over time at Cranberry Lake. However, ongoing management actions must consider whether these approaches continue to provide a practical and sustainable solution. Where recurring conflicts affect public infrastructure and available mitigation measures are no longer considered effective, additional management actions may need to be considered.
Relocation is another option that is frequently suggested when wildlife conflicts occur. While relocation may appear to be a preferable alternative, it is not always the most humane or effective option. Beavers are territorial animals that depend on suitable habitat, reliable food sources, and established family groups. Relocation can create significant stress and may expose animals to conflict with existing populations or poor survival outcomes. As a result, wildlife professionals must carefully evaluate whether relocation would provide a positive outcome for the animals involved.
Concerns have also been expressed regarding the welfare of any dependent young that may have been present. The Department expects all authorized wildlife management activities to be carried out by qualified and licensed professionals who are trained to undertake this work safely, humanely, and in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
It is also notable that new beavers have already begun establishing themselves at the site. One of the key lessons from Cranberry Lake is that successful beaver management requires ongoing adaptation rather than a single intervention. As conditions change, new opportunities for coexistence may emerge. The Department and Halifax Regional Municipality will continue to consider and evaluate practical approaches that support both wildlife conservation and community infrastructure objectives.
The Department's responsibility is to balance wildlife conservation, environmental considerations, public safety, and community infrastructure needs. Decisions involving wildlife are never made lightly and are guided by legislation, professional expertise, and a commitment to responsible stewardship of Nova Scotia's natural resources.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your concerns and perspective. We appreciate your interest in wildlife conservation and your commitment to Nova Scotia's natural environment.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Steven Delorey
a/Executive Director, Land Strategy and Planning Branch
Cc: Correspondence Prem <Correspondenceprem@novascotia.ca>, Hope For Wildlife <hope@hopeforwildlife.net>, Hope For Wildlife <info@hopeforwildlife.net>, Fur Bearers <michael@thefurbearers.com>, Office, Clerks <clerks@halifax.ca>, <mayor@halifax.ca>, <cathy.deaglegammon@halifax.ca>, <david.hendsbee@halifax.ca>, <becky.kent@halifax.ca>, <trish.purdy@halifax.ca>, <sam.austin@halifax.ca>, <tony.mancini@halifax.ca>, White, Laura <laura.white@halifax.ca>, <virginia.hinch@halifax.ca>, <shawn.cleary@halifax.ca>, <kathryn.morse@halifax.ca>, Cuttell, Patricia <cuttelp@halifax.ca>, <janet.steele@halifax.ca>, <nancy.hartling@halifax.ca>, <john.young@halifax.ca>, <billy.gillis@halifax.ca>, <jean.st-amand@halifax.ca>, <leahmartinmla@gmail.com>, <bradmcgowanMLA@gmail.com>
What I gather from this email is that killing this family of beavers was completely pointless, since yet another family of beavers has moved in. And it seems like you are possibly admitting to either killing baby beavers, or bringing them to Hope For Wildlife. It also sounds like this killing has gone on for years. So how many more mom, dad, and child beavers are you going to drown and/or shoot? At what point do we decide to never kill again? Next time, if you have to "remove" beavers, bring the entire family to Hope For Wildlife while engineering efforts can be done to change the environment to prevent further conflicts. The same beavers can then be placed back, or relocated to an area that has no beavers but needs beavers.
Stop calling shooting beavers "management".
Please use non lethal methods exclusively. https://thefurbearers.com/blog/applications-open-for-the-beaver-institute-scholarship-2026/
Please note that while the DNR is in charge of wildlife permitting, the Regional Municipality of Halifax has a legal right to ban traps and guns at the municipal level, and has the legal right to exclusively use non lethal methods, and has the legal right to work with humane organizations like Hope For Wildlife. I noticed that the Regional Municipality of Halifax already has some preliminary laws regarding parks, and other municipalities across Canada have even stricter laws. https://thefurbearers.com/our-work/commercial-trapping/trapping-bylaws/
Please create a non lethal humane wildlife coexistence strategy that is open to the public and works with Hope For Wildlife and the animals.
I hope to see better next year.
On Tue, Oct 6, 2026, 11:25 AM DNR Correspondence <DNRCorrespondence@novascotia.ca> wrote:
Dear Nicole Corrado:
I am responding to your correspondence regarding recent wildlife management actions involving beavers at Cranberry Lake in Dartmouth on behalf of the Premier.
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. I understand your concern for the welfare of the beavers and appreciate you sharing your perspective. Many Nova Scotians care deeply about wildlife, and I recognize that news of animals being removed can be upsetting. Your letter reflects a genuine concern for animal welfare and the protection of Nova Scotia's natural environment.
Beavers are an important native species and valuable ecosystem engineers. The wetlands they create support biodiversity, improve water retention, and provide habitat for many other species. The Department of Natural Resources recognizes these benefits and values the important role beavers play in healthy ecosystems across the province. The wildlife professionals involved in managing these situations also care deeply about conservation and wildlife stewardship.
For that reason, the Department's approach is always to support coexistence between people and wildlife wherever possible. Prevention, mitigation, and non-lethal management measures are considered and implemented whenever they can effectively address the issue. Removal of wildlife is not a first response and is only considered when other options have been evaluated and are no longer providing an effective or sustainable solution.
The Department's involvement at Cranberry Lake reflects many years of efforts to manage recurring beaver-related flooding and infrastructure concerns while supporting opportunities for coexistence wherever feasible. Over time, a variety of management approaches were explored and implemented, including periodic dam lowering, ongoing monitoring, and the use of water-flow management devices intended to reduce conflicts while allowing beavers to remain at the site.
While coexistence measures can be effective in many situations, no single management tool is successful in every circumstance. Wildlife management decisions must consider site-specific conditions, long-term effectiveness, environmental impacts, public infrastructure protection, public safety, and animal welfare. Experience gained through managing the area over many years helped inform the assessment of available options at Cranberry Lake.
You noted that removing the dam may have been preferable to removing the beavers. Dam management was among the approaches considered and used over time at Cranberry Lake. However, ongoing management actions must consider whether these approaches continue to provide a practical and sustainable solution. Where recurring conflicts affect public infrastructure and available mitigation measures are no longer considered effective, additional management actions may need to be considered.
Relocation is another option that is frequently suggested when wildlife conflicts occur. While relocation may appear to be a preferable alternative, it is not always the most humane or effective option. Beavers are territorial animals that depend on suitable habitat, reliable food sources, and established family groups. Relocation can create significant stress and may expose animals to conflict with existing populations or poor survival outcomes. As a result, wildlife professionals must carefully evaluate whether relocation would provide a positive outcome for the animals involved.
Concerns have also been expressed regarding the welfare of any dependent young that may have been present. The Department expects all authorized wildlife management activities to be carried out by qualified and licensed professionals who are trained to undertake this work safely, humanely, and in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
It is also notable that new beavers have already begun establishing themselves at the site. One of the key lessons from Cranberry Lake is that successful beaver management requires ongoing adaptation rather than a single intervention. As conditions change, new opportunities for coexistence may emerge. The Department and Halifax Regional Municipality will continue to consider and evaluate practical approaches that support both wildlife conservation and community infrastructure objectives.
The Department's responsibility is to balance wildlife conservation, environmental considerations, public safety, and community infrastructure needs. Decisions involving wildlife are never made lightly and are guided by legislation, professional expertise, and a commitment to responsible stewardship of Nova Scotia's natural resources.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your concerns and perspective. We appreciate your interest in wildlife conservation and your commitment to Nova Scotia's natural environment.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Steven Delorey
a/Executive Director, Land Strategy and Planning Branch