Beaver at Miller Lake (Gloucester City) Illegally Killed, Shot with a .22 Gun/Rifle
Sunday, June 11, 2017
UPDATED: (June 14, 2017)- A spokesperson for the NJ Fish and Game said the fine for killing a beaver illegally is $200. As for discharging a firearm within city limits, according to Police Lieutenant Steve Burkhardt, the fine is up to $500, and up to 90 days imprisonment, or both.
by Joyce Moyer
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (June 10, 2017)--You may or may not know that there are beavers in Millers Lake. As a resident of the lake, most of us have learned to coexist with these amazing creatures. They have lived here for quite some time and several of the residents have been managing the water levels and releasing the dam when the level rises. One of the nine residents of the Lake apparently is not happy with the beavers and two months ago started complaining to the city which is their right to complain. The city public works have come out four times to remove the dam. As most know, the beaver is a loyal worker and rebuilds within days. Due to the complaints, the city reached out to NJ Fish and Wildlife two months ago.
Investigator Vasquez came on site to survey the lake at that time. He surveyed it and felt the dam was hindering the water flow but that it was not causing any damage to the lake, road or any homes or personal property so there was no need to urgently trap the beavers. He advised the city that one person could apply for a trapping permit in which they would have to attend an educational class and they could trap only during trapping season which starts in December as per NJ law. Since most of the lake is owned by the residents, permission would need to be obtained from the property owner that housed the lodge. Vasquez said that he told the city official that any other means of ridding the beaver was unlawful. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/trapping_info.htm?prompt=0
A short time after this visit, the beaver was shot, killed and retrieved for its pelt. No names have been mentioned regarding the shooter but it has been said it is an acquaintance of the complaining resident. At this time, it is unknown if the person who complained asked the shooter or the shooter decided to do it himself. Apparently, this person waited for the beaver to approach the dam and shot him with a .22. He must have shot the male as the dam went unbuilt for weeks after. The females are smaller and don't build as well as the males.
I contacted the state and Investigator Vasquez from NJ Fish and Wildlife is now investigating this illegal act and charges will be brought if the offender is found. Many of us are horrified that someone would fire a weapon of any caliber in our area without any regard to the danger of this act. We are disgusted that this person killed the beaver illegally and want it known that we are all watching the area if this person thinks he will shoot the others.
I have contacted the Unexpected Wildlife Refuge in regards to obtaining a water leveler that can be installed to allow the water to flow and the Beavers are unable to build around. Our public works director is aware of this situation. Relocating the beavers is not an option as more will find their way to the lake as this family did. It puzzles me that when we have a little bit of wildlife in our city, that people want to destroy it. We all need to learn to coexist.
Regardless of your thoughts of the Beavers, it was an illegal act, plain and simple.