Massachusetts seeks to rid itself of those last remaining damn beavers

Legislation would broaden use of controversial beaver trap
By Associated Press
Monday, September 19, 2005 - Updated: 01:31 PM EST

BOSTON - Animal-rights activists are in the town of Spencer, where a legislative committee is holding a hearing on proposals aimed at reining in the state's beaver population.

One bill would allow for expanded use of conibear traps, which were outlawed by Massachusetts voters in 1996.

Wildlife advocates say the traps, which clamp down on beavers in the water and drown them, are cruel and unnecessary. They say beavers and other pesky critters can be managed in more humane ways.

State wildlife experts say the beaver population has nearly tripled since the trapping rules were imposed. Beavers have been blamed for blocking drainage culverts, damming streams and even polluting drinking-water wells in local communities.

More:
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=103304

Can make you real sick.

<Over the last 25 years a trend has grown through the backcountry of the United States. Giardia lamblia, an amoeba like protozoa has been spreading into streams, rivers and lakes. Found in two forms, both as an active trophozoite and as a dormant cyst, Giardia is responsible for making tens of thousands of people sick each year in the United States. Although infection by drinking untreated water is one of the most common causes of Giardiasis, Giardia is a growing health hazard in our treated water supplies and is reaching an epidemic level in day care centers.>