Editor,
I am outraged about the District of Squamish hiring a trapper to kill beavers along Loggers Lane ("District trapper kills 12 beavers," The Chief, Oct. 20).
Squamish residents take great pride in the area's natural beauty. We respect and revere our wild animal neighbors who share this magnificent spot on the Earth with us.
Beavers, like the bears, cougars, eagles, salmon, and other wildlife here, play an unique and critical role in maintaining ecological systems. They also bring great joy to those of us who like to watch wildlife. Squamish is so special because Nature is our backyard.
Sadly, expansive trapping of beavers across North America for the fur trade nearly wiped the animals out across much of their range. Today, one would hope we are a more enlightened society that seeks to live in harmony with beavers and other wildlife.
Make no mistake, trapping is incredibly cruel. Conibear traps, used to kill the beavers near the Adventure Centre, are inhumane. Often, a trapped beaver will struggle in them in agony. And they are indiscriminate, catching any animal who triggers them. Trapping is absolutely barbaric and has no place in a civilized society.
I urge the District of Squamish to take Chris Penn's advice. Mr. Penn wrote in his November 13 letter to the editor, "Instead of this senseless, cruel and ineffective slaughter right behind the Adventure Centre, why don't we organize guided tours and a hidden observation platform so that our tourists and other visitors can see how these ingenious hydraulic engineers live and improve their environment."
Let's protect our local wildlife, including the beavers.
Marion von Dehn
Squamish
