Together with an ecologist, ProRail is looking for a beaver that dug a tunnel under the track between Assen and Groningen. There was a chance that the track would sink because of that corridor.
Due to the repair work, train traffic came to a halt last night and this morning. Train traffic could be resumed according to schedule around 8 a.m., reports RTV North.
The beaver and subsidence were discovered by an ecologist, who knew there was a beaver burrow nearby. The corridor has now been closed, but the instigator is still at large.
In the Netherlands, the beaver is a protected species, which is not allowed to be hunted. Therefore, only water boards have the authority to trap beavers in certain cases. But, a spokesman said, “at the moment we don’t have the right equipment to catch a beaver, the cages we have are not suitable for land”.
Beaver does not show itself
Nevertheless, action must be taken quickly, says the spokesperson for ProRail. “If such an animal is around, there is a good chance it will happen again.” The province of Drenthe is now looking at what measures can be taken.
Due to all the work with machines, the beaver did not show itself anymore. Moreover, ProRail says it does not know whether it concerns one or more beavers.
In the coming period, extra attention will be paid to excavation tracks along the track. The railway manager has also announced that it wants to catch the beaver or beavers itself with a special beaver cage. If successful, they will be released into an area where they deal less damage.
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