Beavers move into small Okanagan community, cause trouble

Beavers have recently moved into Naramata and they’re making themselves at home by chomping away at big old trees.

Impacted trees in the community have been wrapped with wire fencing to try and prevent further damage, a standard practice by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen where beavers are causing trouble.

“Across the region, it is not out of the ordinary to lose a few trees each year to beavers,” said Erick Thompson, communications coordinator with the regional district.

“The trees are usually smaller and located on the perimeters of riparian areas or where wire wrapping may have been compromised.”

When Thompson saw a photo of a tree heavily damaged by a beaver, he said it "will be monitored for its structural integrity and potential health issues."

Even though the beavers “just recently” showed up in Naramata, Thompson said relocating them would be a last resort because they are heavily protected through conservation efforts like B.C.'s Wildlife Act.

Old trees at Wharf Park in Naramata have been wrapped with wire fencing to try and protect them from the beavers that recently moved to town. | Credit: SUBMITTED

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