Milton, Vermont - April 22, 2011
Over the past several weeks, about two dozen beavers have reportedly been killed on a low-lying stretch of Route 2, approaching the causeway to the Champlain Islands.
"This happens every spring, but this is the worst spring I've seen in the last seven or eight years," Mandy Hotchkiss said.
In honor of Earth Day, Mandy Hotchkiss and two of her friends demonstrated alongside the stretch of road where numerous beavers have perished. They made signs in an effort to raise awareness among motorists.
"Yeah we want them to see, see the message, you know. And if we can create just a few people slowing down and passing the word, then it's going to help," Hotchkiss said.
Phoebe Bright, a friend and co-worker of Hotchkiss, spent the morning dressed as a human-sized beaver, in an effort to help generate more attention.
"I mean mascots have always notoriously drawn a lot of attention to themselves. We thought the suit would help a lot," Bright said.
Hotchkiss and her friends are petitioning the state to replace the "Wildlife Area" sign with a sign reading "Wildlife Crossing." They hope the new sign will make drivers more mindful of wildlife trying to cross this stretch of road.
Beavers can cause a variety of problems along this section of Route 2. Their gnawing away at the bases of trees can cause them to fall on the road and nearby power lines. Beavers crossing the road surface present a danger to drivers on the road.
"Sometimes you might not have a choice; you may have a line of cars behind you-- you can't brake, you can't swerve because of oncoming traffic," said John Gobielle of the Vt. Fish and Wildlife Department.
Even so, the Department of Fish and Wildlife recognizes the beaver's value to the wetland habitat and closely regulates their population around the causeway by trapping and relocating some beavers. There is also a trapping season for hunters.
"They're a part of that marsh ecosystem, so we definitely want to maintain beavers," Gobielle said.
According to Gobielle, the state does intend to change the signs to help protect the wildlife.
"It is a wildlife area but right there it's a crossing. It'd be probably more informative to have a crossing sign," he said.
And rather than just saying "Leave it to Beaver," Hotchkiss and her supporters hope their Earth Day message will reach drivers.
"If we can help save one beaver, then that's great!" Hotchkiss said.
The state has yet to make a final decision on when or if they will install the new signs.
Ian Oliver - WCAX News
