Direct from the City of Ottawa:

For immediate release
November 10, 2011

Paul Lindsay Pond beaver trapping halted


Ottawa – Mayor Jim Watson and Councillor Shad Qadri today announced that the City of Ottawa will accelerate the development of its Wildlife Strategy. At the same time, the City will halt trapping activity in the Paul Lindsay Pond area.

“We have heard in recent days that people would like us to have a second look at how we protect the integrity of our flood control systems and we are listening and acting,” said Mayor Watson.

Staff has proposed that the Wildlife Strategy include a re-evaluation of the City’s beaver management practices, including a development of a risk management evaluation process for responding to conflicts between beavers and infrastructure, such as culverts and storm water facilities.

“I am pleased that the City Manager has been able to act on my suggestion to explore alternatives,” added Stittsville Councillor Shad Qadri. “Flood control is a critical program for my ward and I am hopeful that we can find a way to protect residents from flooding and enhance our handling of wildlife at the same time.”

While even the most progressive experts in wildlife management acknowledge that lethal trapping of beavers is sometimes necessary to protect critical infrastructure and private property, the City recognises that advances in beaver management practices and technologies provide a range of alternatives to lethal trapping. The City recognizes that many of these alternatives are also more protective of aquatic and wetland ecosystems.

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