City Beavers

This photo was taken this morning from the Zwaanswal, looking out across a scrubby promontary. At the base of the tree you can see a bright patch of freshly-chewed wood: an almost cartoonesque example of beaver activity. I couldn't believe my eyes. If it wasn't for the fact that this patch of no-man's land is virtually inaccessible for humans (the only way in is completely overgrown with brambles), I would have thought it was a practical joke played by local kids.

But a bit further on I found another poor tree which I could photograph from up close: check out the gnawing technique! See the giant beaver in the background! (Just kidding: that's my dog's bum...)

Beavers have been reintroduced in several locations in the Netherlands over the past few years and one of the most successful populations is happily chewing its way through the Biesbosch, a wetlands nature reserve south-west of us across the river and a good 20 km away. How on earth did this beaver (or beavers - could only one have caused this much damage?) find its way to Gorinchem? At some point it must have swum across the busiest inland water route in Holland, then paddled upstream along the shore, avoiding earth-moving machinery and construction crews who are renovating the dyke and keeping out of the way of dredgers digging a new canal. Then it negotiated the Vluchthaven, ignoring the river traffic in and out of the Grote Merwerde Lock, the screaming metal saws from the industrial park (see previous post) and the boat owners who are just starting to spruce up their sailing yachts and motor sloops for the spring. It chose a spot where it would be in full view of any people out taking a stroll, dog-walkers, their dogs, teenagers sneaking a fag or boys on their cross bikes. If anybody bothered to look, that is.

I was very excited: I reported the sighting of beaver activity on the report-sightings-of-beaver-activity website, but felt I had to share further, so I called up the local council. 

The receptionist was rather put out: "But why do you want to report beavers?" she asked. I was momentarily thrown off-course: why indeed? Because it's pretty bloody cool, actually. Obviously this argument wouldn't carry any weight, so I said "Because they're chopping down trees!" (Local government are obliged to respond to complaints, not cool stuff). Reluctantly, she put me through to a charming lady who thought it was pretty cool, too, although she was already aware of the beaver's presence. Apparently the Waterschap* are keeping an eye on the situation, but they haven't yet seen any evidence of a lodge being built. 

I think it's pretty unlikely that the beaver and friends will set up home here. Apart from the challenging location, there just aren't enough trees for them: on that little strip of land there's probably only a dozen, and they've already destroyed two. Where will they go from here? Further upstream to Vuren? Swim through the lock and head inland? 

Good luck to them, I say. It won't be easy.

Photo from Fotosloep.nl

* Waterschap: Dutch water board.