2 beavers trapped and killed at Brookfield's Fox Brook Park

Park goers are angry tonight about the removal of two beavers from the Foxbrook Park. Waukesha County reporter Brett Lemoine live there with the reason the county says lethal means were necessary. Hey, Brett. Hey, Mary and Kim. Yeah, we spoke with two women this afternoon who tell me they first learned about the county's plan to trap the beavers last week. Both say they were very sad to hear those beavers were killed. Amy Mueller says she's a master naturalist who specializes in beaver education and outreach. She says Foxbrook Park was one of the few public parks in our area where people could see the beavers. In a statement, Waukesha County Director of Parks and Land Use Dale Shaver told Fox 6 two beavers were trapped and killed. Shaver said, quote, We consider many alternatives before making the decision to dispatch an animal, including relocation and water level control. While these approaches have been used at other locations, they were not appropriate or effective given the conditions at Foxbrook Park. Now, because the shoreline is close to the trail, Shaver says trees are an important part of the ecosystem here to protect it from erosion. We spotted a few trees that the beavers took down. Mueller worries that killing the beavers may have actually created a larger problem. Well, I think it's unfortunate. I think it's unnecessary. I think it's really just an answer that's very temporary, ultimately. So those beaver were here, but now being gone, this is nothing more than a vacuum for more future beaver to come in from the Fox River, likely next spring when they're dispersing. They just didn't give them an opportunity to be relocated. Shaver says the county will continue to work with experts here, but Mueller hopes that public outcry will pressure the county into not using lethal methods in the future. Reporting live in Brookfield, Brett Lemoine, Fox 6 News. It's such a delicate situation because you think relocate the beavers, but you would also be relocating the problem. Yeah, that's exactly right, Kim. And, you know, we've talked to a number of park goers just on the walk over to this particular vantage point to be able to see that beaver lodge. And universally, all of them expressed a concern about what was taking place here. A couple of them said that they liked to come out to see those animals here at the park. It was something unique for them at this particular location. All right, but officials thought differently. Okay, thank you.