Beavers Chomp on Trees in Bridgeville

Bridgeville is having more problems with wildlife.

But instead of , a few beavers recently found a home in Chartiers Park and are doing serious damage to trees.

"There's some big beavers down there," Bridgeville Councilman Jason Sarasnick said.

Several trees have been damaged in the park in the past week, which is located next to Chartiers Creek across from the Bursca Business Park in South Fayette. The beavers caused so much damage to one tree that it fell and another tree had to be removed.

“We don’t have any issues with dams yet,” Bridgeville police Chief Chad King said. “But I drove down there the other day and there are at least a half-dozen trees he’s chewed on, if not more. He’s chewed just about every one."

One of the critters was seen over the weekend by on patrol in the park. The police car’s dashboard camera recorded the critter chewing on the trunk of a tree shortly before midnight Sunday.

Borough officials contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission, but were told that the animals could not be trapped until late December because they're protected.

In an effort to deter the beavers from inflicting more damage, borough workers wrapped black roofing paper around some of the trunks near the ground.

Borough Manager Lori Collins said 20 trees have been wrapped in the paper and chicken wire. More will be done over the next few months in an attempt to keep the beavers from doing more damage.

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