PARKS CANADA PUTS PLAN TO KILL BEAVERS ON HOLD

A battle over beavers is brewing on South Pender Island, B.C., where residents are vowing to save the animals. The beavers have been building dams in Greenburn Lake, threatening an earthen dam constructed on part of the Gulf Island National Park Reserve, an area administered by Parks Canada. Wendy Scholefield, a trustee with the Islands Trust, a body that protects the area, says Parks Canada put up a notice last week saying the beavers would be trapped and killed Monday. Scholefield says Parks Canada announced it without public consultation. Residents were set to protest Monday but Parks Canada put the plan on hold until the end of the week. Nathan Cardinal, Parks Canada’s acting superintendent for the reserve, was not available for comment.