BRATTLEBORO — For well over a decade now, I've enjoyed regular strolls along the West River Trail.
Until recently, it was very common in the spring and early summer to see turtles crossing the trail, going off to lay their eggs. Unfortunately, I only saw two turtles this year, and both had been run over by the utility trucks working on the I-91 bridge.
Over the last few years (probably for a number of reasons) there seems to be a lot less animal and insect life on the trail. Though Tropical Storm Irene cannot be the entire cause, certainly it had a hand in reducing the numbers of wildlife.
One common sight used to be the beavers that make their homes along the river, on the little Islands, and within the marshes. They would smack their tails on the water, as if to let you and others know they were not too far away.
Toward fall, one could witness their well-worn paths from the river across the trail to the abutting corn field. Small little circles of missing corn stalks in the field, as well as a few telltale stalks dropped along their way, indicated the beavers' mission: to use the stalks to winterize the huts.
It's been fun and amazing over the last couple years to watch how these industrious creatures, like so many Vermonters, have bit by bit rebuilt their small community and resumed their previous lifestyle after the flooding.
But recently, along the edge of the river, my small dog came very close to stepping into what turned out to be a beaver trap.
I soon learned that the owner of the corn field was able to get the state of Vermont to finance a trapper to eradicate all these beautiful animals that had co-existed in this habitat for years.
I heard that the beaver were acquiring way too many cornstalks for the comfort of the landowners.
If you have ever walked around or through the field, you would know how massive field it is. I can safely estimate that on a very good year, these animals kept their harvest under 2 percent.
Since this corn field encroached on what had been a natural habitat for these animals, doesn't it seem it only fair that they be allowed this small portion of corn stalks?
And aren't there more pressing needs for which our state agriculture department could be investing our money? Since this is a trail used by families with small children and pet owners, shouldn't there have been a public warning about all these vile traps laid along these animals' trails from the river to the fields?
I'm greatly saddened by this terrible decision and the use of our tax dollars to finance it. I hope this landowner and the state will reconsider before doing this sort of thing again.
Thank goodness that no pets or children have been harmed. I hope these amazing animals return and are protected.