Beavers apprehended and slain in a New Brunswick hamlet in an attempt to safeguard the golf course.

In the picturesque town of Memramcook, New Brunswick, a local resident, Annie LeBouthilier, has raised concerns about the recent discovery of a dead beaver in a trap at LeBlanc Park.

LeBouthilier, who cherishes the park as her favourite walking trail, was looking forward to enjoying a leisurely stroll after the wildfire ban was lifted. However, her plans were disrupted when she came across the unfortunate sight of a beaver trapped and killed.

Expressing her dismay, LeBouthilier questioned the necessity of setting traps in the park, stating it as immoral to kill park animals. She has since reached out to the municipality, expressing her concerns about the accessible traps that could potentially harm the public.

The municipality, which owns both the park and the neighbouring golf course, stated that the beavers were creating a blockage to the irrigation system for the golf course. The drought, according to Mayor Maxime Bourgeois, has made the greens expensive and prone to dying.

To address this issue, traps were set in the park. However, the trapper, identified as Ryan O’Connor, was obligated to use a different type of trap that kills the smaller beavers, as confirmed by the mayor. Unfortunately, the size of the traps meant that young beavers couldn't be removed and were killed instead.

In response to LeBouthilier's concerns, the mayor mentioned that adult beavers were trapped and relocated. The municipality has also announced its intention to examine its policies regarding beaver management moving forward.

It's important to note that municipalities in New Brunswick are legally allowed to remove beavers causing damage to infrastructure outside of the official trapping season, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources.

LeBouthilier, heartbroken by the incident, hopes that it will serve as a lesson for other municipalities, urging them to reconsider their approaches to beaver management. As for her pursuit for answers from the municipality, no new information has been provided as of yet.

The golf course in Memramcook is an important asset for the town, contributing significantly to its economy and local charm. As the community grapples with this issue, it remains to be seen how the policies regarding beaver management will evolve.