Beaver chewed trees along Penticton river channel not a concern, ministry says

PENTICTON – The damage done by busy beavers chewing trees along the Penticton river channel isn’t of great concern to provincial authorities.

Residents using the footpath along the east side of the river channel just south of the Okanagan Lake dam noticed an increase in beaver activity lately as a number of trees have been partially or completely chewed by the animals.

Jeremy Uppenborn, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations said in an email the activity isn’t posing a threat to public safety.

A half-eaten tree or one hanging over a walking path on a dike would be dealt with, likely by falling the tree or limbing it back to a safe condition, he said.

Uppenborn said the trees along the Okanagan River channel at the point in question are invasive elms and ministry ecosystem staff don’t recommend any particular measures to protect them.

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