The town is grappling with a beaver damaging several trees near its youth centre but said it will focus on mitigation rather than relocating the creature.
A beaver has been set up at the Holland River for several weeks, bringing trees down in its dam-building efforts. But the animal has kept busy, and has now taken down five trees, some planted by the town. It has also started working on the other side of the river by the town seniors’ centre.
But regardless, the town approach will not be to directly intervene. The public works department said it is aware of the beaver but will try alternative methods instead.
“It is the town’s goal and practice to leave wildlife alone or to use preventive measures to discourage beaver activity,” the town said.
The town has a policy of not using beaver traps, which garnered controversy and was discontinued in Aurora last year. Aurora is instead focusing on using dam removal as a method to manage troublesome beavers.
Newmarket said it is working with partners to find alternate methods of beaver management.
The town said it may wrap trees or leave some fallen on the ground in a bid to discourage the beaver from chewing down more.
“Newmarket continues to work with York Region municipalities, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority to learn more about alternative methods for beaver management,” the town said.
