The warning sign for beaver crossings along the Groningerweg near De Onlanden had been there for less than a week, but has already been stolen. Much to the disappointment of the brothers Laurens (9), Marnix (7) and Reinout (5), who campaigned for crossing beavers and otters a month ago. They hope that the perpetrator will repent and return the sign.
After the action of the boys, who made warning signs themselves, the municipality of Tynaarlo decided to hang two real warning signs. But strangers unscrewed one of those signs from the post after just a few days.
“We drove along the road past the sign, but we didn’t see it hanging anymore,” 7-year-old Marnix looks back. “Then we drove past it again, but it turned out that the sign was really gone.” At first the brothers think that the municipality of Tynaarlo has temporarily removed the sign, perhaps because of a printing error. But none of that, the sign turns out to be stolen. “We are so shocked.”
The Groningerweg is not only a busy street for traffic between Eelde and Groningen, it is also an important crossing point for animals that migrate from De Onlanden to the Paterswoldsemeer. More than half of the young beavers and otters that do this do not survive the crossing.
When the boys hear in mid-October that a beaver has been killed near a place where they always spot beavers and otters, they think it is time for action. They work hard for a few days on warning signs that should ensure that motorists pay more attention and drive more slowly.
Their action stands out in the town hall in Vries. It was decided that official warning signs should be placed along the road.
“It happens more often that road signs are stolen, but it is surprising how quickly this has happened,” says Willemien Bouwers of the municipality of Tynaarlo. “We assume it is theft, because such a sign does not disappear on its own.”
“I find this very sad myself,” Bouwers continues. “Those guys have tried so hard. Then they manage to put up real warning signs and then people take those signs down. Apparently because they like it for their home.”
Laurens, Marnix and Reinout hope that whoever stole the sign will put it back up. “Otherwise we might call the police,” said 5-year-old Reinout. The trio also has a solution for the thief. “If he wants a unique sign, he can have a warning sign from us.”
Bouwers thinks it is a very positive idea from the boys. She also hopes that the perpetrator will repent. “We may report it, but we’ll let it sink in first. In any case, I would like to appeal to the perpetrator to bring the sign back to the town hall. Also because this was such a great initiative by those brothers. Then we will put the sign back.”