Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 28/01) - A beaver that raised eyebrows and Niven Lake's water levels hasn't been seen since the city destroyed a dam built at the lake's outlet.

One trapper reportedly asked about the slick rodent's whereabouts, but wildlife officers doubt that it's been captured.

A pelt is worth between $20 and $80, but beavers are not in season and special permission would be needed to trap within city limits, says Raymond Bourget, chief wildlife officer for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

Officers found a lodge the beaver built and suspect the animal may be having second thoughts about the need for a dam.

The beaver hasn't tried re-building since the city wrecked its handiwork on Sept. 19. The decision was made, according to the city, because the dam had caused the water to rise to the point where it was flooding the lake's popular walking trail.

Previous beavers taking up residence in the shallow lake didn't see a need for a dam, say biologists familiar with the area.

The new beaver, first spotted a few weeks ago, is probably busy storing wood that it eats over winter, they say.

"If the water level is high enough he's not going to worry too much about the dam at this point," says Bourget.

If it's rebuilt, RWED and the city will try inserting a pipe under the dam to allow some water to escape.

The city's public works supervisor, Greg Kehoe, says a couple of residents living near Niven Lake have called in support of the beaver.