Man. raises bounty on problem beavers

Manitoba is raising a subsidy paid to rural municipalities to deal with troublesome beavers.

Manitoba Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie announced Wednesday the subsidy is increasing to $20 from $15 per animal.

The increase is to assist rural municipalities in dealing with an abundance of beavers that are causing substantial damage in some areas of the province, he said.

When all measures to discourage beavers have been tried and failed, rural municipalities can have licensed trappers remove beavers whose dams are causing flooding that damages roads or fields.

The changes, under the Problem Beaver Management Program, are for all areas of the province, particularly the hard-hit western region, and will remain in effect until March 31.

Municipalities must employ trappers experienced in humane trapping methods and trappers must use approved trapping devices to remove problem beavers.