The federal and provincial governments have agreed to fund a continuation of a beaver control program for the next year.
The two levels of government are giving $500,000 to the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities to continue administering the Beaver Control Program in 2012-13.
The province says the most recent 2011 claims indicate that approximately 35,000 beavers have been removed under last year’s pilot program.
The government says the program has saved farmers and ranchers “thousands of dollars in damages”.
According to Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud, “Excess moisture in many areas of the province over the past two years has led to increased damage caused by beavers at a significant financial cost to producers”.
When it was first introduced as a one-year pilot project last year, the province said the program was needed because the number of beaver pelts taken by licensed trappers in Saskatchewan has decreased dramatically in recent years.
An additional $1.3 million is being provided this year to help producers and rural municipalities control rats, wild boars and gophers.