Beaver Crime

Start of a few weeks of high tension. Overnight snow brought down a tree from the neighbouring State forest, which luckily only the weak upper branches landed on our overhead electricity lines before it landed on our horse field. The tree was one of several (probably 100) a beaver has been attacking for its dam & above all for the bark as winter food. While inspecting it, saw the stream has now totally flooded over from the dam and indeed then saw our cellar is beginning to flood. It won't be long before our sewage system will be blocked.

So time for action.

Very complicated as the property ownership at this spot is split between Bavarian State, Ourselves, The Parish Council & 3 farmers. This issue of beavers for farmers is highly toxic, not only causing field flooding but also undermining stream banks so that tractors have often fallen in.

Knowing that one particular farmer was going to be a problem, I phoned the head of the parish council (the civil servant, not the mayor) who is well aware of the politics. I asked for advice. He said #1 contact State Forestry to secure our electricity supply, and we'll take it from there.

So phoned the local Forestry office in Ottobeuren and within two hours the new, young area manager turned up. From his point of view, we can remove all the trees that have been damaged &/or endanger our electricity. He suggested we contact County Council, who are charged with the protection of beavers.

So phoned County Council and got a "send us some details email" reply. It was late afternoon by this time, but a bit frustrating.