What Happened to the Wildlife at Saffins Pond?

When the , workers had to drain the pond to begin the reconstruction work. Since then, many have wondered what happened to the wildlife that called that area home. According to Arthur Vitale, assistant director of the engineering commission for the Morris County Parks Commission, the fish were removed from the pond and relocated under supervision of the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) fish and wildlife division.

However, the beaver that lived in the pond were handled differently.

“Five beaver were kill trapped when the pond was drained,” said Geoff Knapp, assistant director of natural resources for the Morris County Parks Commission. The county employed the services of a reputable trapper to handle the job.

Knapp said that the decision was not an easy one for the commission to make.

“We all, myself and the staff, struggled with this decision, but in the end, we came to the conclusion that it was the most humane thing to do. New Jersey does not have a beaver relocation program, as there is a vast overpopulation of beaver in the state.”

Knapp explained that when beavers mate and produce babies, known as kids, the parents need to care for the kids for a long enough period of time that is it not uncommon to see four to five generations of beaver living together, thus causing the overpopulation problem.