“Today’s investigation led to the identification and remand to corrections of two suspectsannounces Natagora, who at the time had filed a complaint as a civil party, and who “welcomes the rapid progress of the investigation and the removal decision”.
At the time, photos of the beavers, nailed and hung by the tail at the entrances to the city, sparked widespread outrage on social media. “Not only is the beaver a protected species and essential to the quality of our ecosystems, but the act in itself showed an unspeakable barbarity”, highlight Natagora.
“The members and volunteers of Natagora immediately mobilized and our association filed a complaint as a civil party, says Harry Mardulyn, Natagora volunteer. This court decision is exemplary in terms of damage to wildlife and biodiversity. It demonstrates that there is no impunity for poachers!”
A landmark decision?
The Anti-Poaching Unit (UAB) of the Walloon Region immediately embarked on an in-depth investigation, using surveillance cameras and telecommunications analysis. Very quickly, two suspects were identified and suspected. The evidence then piled up.
The Marche-en-Famenne court of first instance then decided to send these two people back to corrections for having “captured, intentionally put to death, intentionally disturbed, in particular during the periods of reproduction, dependence, hibernation and migration , specimens of strictly protected mammalian species.”
Remember that no judgment has yet been pronounced and that the suspects still benefit from the presumption of innocence.
“Possible harmonious cohabitation”
Natagora also recalls that, in nature, the beaver plays an essential role: “By arranging his living environment, he restores and creates wetlands with water reservoirs that are very favorable to the spawning grounds of batrachians and fish. This is greatly appreciated by other species such as the Black Stork or the Great Egret which come to feed there. By clearing the rivers of their riparian vegetation, and by cutting the trees on the banks, it allows the return of light and thus enriches all the aquatic life. The kingfisher and the dragonflies appreciate it. “
Frederic Raes, from Natagora’s Castor working group, concludes: “Of course, it happens that beavers settle near homes and gardens and create damage such as gnawed bark, felled trees or partially flooded meadows. However, with a few preventive actions, such as protecting trees with trellis , a harmonious cohabitation with the beaver is perfectly possible in the vast majority of cases.”
