RIGA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A family of beavers living in the canal in downtown Riga have reminded people of their presence in the Latvian capital by felling a tree last week, local television reported on Tuesday.
A spruce, apparently cut by the beavers, has been lying in the lawn by the city canal for more than a week. Although the local authority spends around 5,000 euros (5,550 U.S. dollars) a year on food for the tree-cutting rodents, it does not always prevent them from gnawing on trees, reports said.
The local authority has started feeding the beavers and put metal fencing around trees since a competition was held in 2010 to seek the best solution to the beaver problem in Riga, said Elija Pinke, a representative of the Housing and Environment Department of the Riga City Council.
However, the situation remains practically unchanged, Pinke said.
The city canal is home to a family of four beavers which fiercely guard their territory and chase away any potential neighbor.
In Pinke's words, the animals like the food they receive from the local authority and their pranks with the trees are just an expression of their inquisitive nature.
"In some cases, they have even been gnawing on benches in the park," Pinke said.
