In certain areas of Churchill Park, the landscape is rapidly changing. The change is not coming from construction or redevelopment, but from a little animal with a big reputation; a beaver.
For decades, Linda Mills would grab a coffee with some friends, walk around Churchill Park and end up at the pond to feed the ducks. Recently on her trips to the park she noticed that a beaver has been working tirelessly reshaping the treescape around the park.
“He’s been out there working really hard,” said Mills. “He’s almost through one of the largest willow trees there.”
Mills is currently in end of life care and can’t get out as much as she used to, but has enjoyed seeing how much progress this national symbol of Canada has been making.
The city proactively cut the tree to reduce its size and prevent damage or injury to residents walking on the trail.
Teresa Chiavaroli, communications officer for the City of Cambridge, said damage to the tree was too far gone and they decided to cut it and leave it for the beaver. Other large trees in the area have been covered with a wire mesh to prevent the animal from choosing them as its next meal.
The tree that was cut by the city was estimated by park goer Steven MacDonald to be around 30 feet tall. This is the largest tree he has seen the beaver try to eat through, noting he usually sees the smaller trees surrounding the stream cut down.
“This little guy has been here forever, he's a bit of a neighbourhood favourite” MacDonald said. “I don’t know what he’s going to do with the trunk when it comes down, but hopefully I’ll get to see.”
Mills is hoping those who haven't had a chance to see a beaver in action can get out to the park and catch a glimpse of him. She is worried the city might remove the beaver if he continues to damage the larger trees in the area, but she remains hopeful they will let him be.
The city does have the power to remove any beavers or wildlife that pose a threat to infrastructure, cause damage to property or create hazards like giant fallen trees.
According to the federal government’s guidelines on beaver and beaver dam removal, they "need to be removed or breached periodically to protect, maintain or construct infrastructure or to avoid the flooding of private or public land.”
There is no real legislation for the protection of beaver habitats if they are obstructing certain areas.
The Churchill Park beaver seems to be safe for now as the city doesn’t have any plans for immediate removal.
“Some people will go their whole lives living in Canada without seeing one of the mightiest creatures the country has to offer. Don’t just look at it on a nickel, go out and see it with your own eyes,” said Mills.
According to the Nature Conservatory Canada, beavers are most active from dusk to dawn and will alternate periods of activity and rest.
