Two large beaver lodges and gnawed trees – beavers feel at home in the ponds of the abbey park in Viktring. There are said to be 18 animals – but because there are problems, they have to be caught.
Blocked access to the monastery park and 400-year-old trees that are in danger: there is a beaver plague around the Realgymnasium in Viktring. The animals have already left their tracks in the idyllic park. Numerous trees have been gnawed and there are two typical beaver lodges. “Meanwhile there are 18,” says a resident. And there are more and more. Due to the brisk construction activities, however, there is already a risk of damage. “A lot of trees are already broken. Who will assume liability?” Director Gabriele Fenkart and administrator Barbara Pfeiler are desperately looking for a solution. The high school has already contacted the hunters’ association in Viktring. Apparently, beavers are to be resettled or even killed. “But hunting rights are suspended in the city,” says wildlife biologist Roman Kirnbauer. Beavers are strictly protected animals in protected areas and must first be caught in traps. Conservationists have repeatedly opened these traps and released beavers in recent months. “We are constantly confronted with the problem,” says Renate Scherling, head of the agricultural department. “A notice has already been issued that hunters can take beavers out of the pond. The deadline was from September 15th to March 31st. Now it’s quiet time, we have to wait until September again.” Until then, the danger remains – walking paths could be undermined, gnawed trees could fall over. Scherling advises setting up wildlife cameras. “Then you can see who releases beavers from the traps. Then you can eliminate this danger and proceed more easily.”
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