As is known, the large rodent is considered ‘the master builder of nature’. However, as a result, he does not always do what people like. For example, the tourist resort of Oberstdorf in the Allgäu is closed to train traffic until mid-November due to damage caused by beaver dens. The Kleinwalsertal in Vorarlberg is also affected by this.
The railway line towards Oberstdorf runs on a dam parallel to the Iller. And the beavers have literally dug themselves under this railway embankment. The large rodents have created numerous cavities over a length of about 500 meters, threatening the railway embankment with collapse. The beaver dens were only discovered in mid-October and renovation work has been going on for a week. The cavities should be filled again by mid-November, and steel nets and stones will also be installed to protect against a new “beaver attack”.
Kleinwalsertal also affected
The paralyzed train traffic also has consequences for the Kleinwalsertal in Vorarlberg; After all, the Oberstdorf train station is a mobility hub for many residents of the ‘functional enclave’, which can only be reached via Germany – not to mention the many tourists who arrive by train.
In the Allgäu, however, the question is what to do with the beavers now. The responsible State Councilor Indra Baier-Müller wants to push through a shooting permit despite the strict protection status of the animals – which would also be legally possible in exceptional cases. Conservationists condemn this initiative as pure activism, especially since the beavers would flee anyway as soon as excavators arrive.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
