De Bever is advancing in Brabant and Farmers of the damage. This is apparent from a survey by agricultural organization ZLTO, to which 32 Brabant farmers and gardeners have responded. The animals not only gnaw on washed, but also dig surge and build dams. This leads to subsidence, flooding and therefore considerable damage to agricultural land and the infrastructure.
According to ZLTO, it is not only about direct damage, such as broken crops, but also indirect damage. It often stays under the radar. “Indirect damage is not compensated and thus remains invisible in the figures,” says Eva Litjens, theme specialist animal health, animal welfare and fauna brackets at ZLTO. And that damage can be huge. “Whole construction projects are even stopped.”
According to ZLTO, many farmers and local residents do not know how to deal with beaver problems. “It is also unclear where they can go for help,” says Litjens. The beaver is a protected animal species and must be left alone. “But people want to be helped in the event of nuisance.”
For that reason, the interest group is working on a new beverage protocol. “So that farmers and citizens at least know where they can go with their questions and comments and what opportunities for action are.” That new protocol will be published shortly.
The Noord-Brabant Fauna Management Plan of the province will also be revised soon. ZLTO hopes that there will also be solutions for the growing nuisance that Bevers cause throughout the province.
