Can beavers be emancipated from their Waterloo neighbourhood?
Metrolinx transit commission is facing criticism over its decision to drain the pond where the short-faced beavers live, describing the controversial measure as an “unfortunate consequence” of the flooding caused by recent rainfall.
The Durham Region Conservation Authority told Metrolinx it had to drain the pond to ensure the water level doesn’t rise further, according to spokesman Gord Cudmore. He said the rainfall had caused the basin to fill with water that now inundates the area.
Residents and local politicians are livid. “The beavers are a beloved institution,” said local MPP Navdeep Bains. “Their home is theirs and it’s theirs to keep.”
Edmonton-area MP Alex Norris also turned to social media to voice his support for the beavers, saying it was a “very sad and unfortunate consequence” of rainwater spilling over a pond.
Metrolinx says it will survey local residents before deciding whether to keep a beaver monitor in the local pond.
But others say Metrolinx has the right to make a decision to manage floods in the region.
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