Are beavers too good at their jobs? A news story released today has been creating quite a stir in the media. The Kern River Beaver Family of Bakersfield, California, has received a death sentence by wildlife officials. From the KREO 23, an area news station, website:

Wildlife Officials: Local Beaver To Be Killed

Beaver Said To Be Gnawing Down Too Many Trees

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A local beaver who is making a mess of trees near the Kern Recreational Bike Path has been given the death sentence for its crimes.

Nine trees have been gnawed to stumps near the Park at Riverwalk.

Now, state wildlife officials have issued a permit to kill the rodent. They have yet to reveal how.

When asked why officials couldn’t just relocate the little vandal, they said that is not an option because the animal’s nature is to stop the flow of water, which could ruin an irrigation canal or destroy more trees at another location.

The adaptations, ecology and biology of the beaver make it second to humans in its ability to manipulate and engineer its surrounding environment to suit its needs. Is killing the Kern River Beavers the answer?

You can let your voice be heard on the issue on a blog titled ‘Save The Kern River Beavers’. You can also add Benny as a friend by checking out his myspace page.

***UPDATE: KERN RIVER BEAVER FAMILY TO GET NEW HOME, 1/9/08, 10:53pm***
***UPDATE: KERN RIVER BEAVER FAMILY SAVED, 12/21/07, 2:04pm***

–mko