The Springtime 'Sakura' or 'Cherry Blossom' begins to sprout in warmer regions of Japan at about this time of year. But the beauty and fame of the blossom has hidden deeper worries recently; a serious threat to the eternal Japanese symbol is apparently still being ignored. Officials fear that Cherry Blossom could soon become a thing of the past if action is not taken to cull the alien invasion sweeping Japanese shores.

At the end of World War II many Americans flocked to Japan to take advantage of the new open economy the internationalisation of the country had created. But with American populous also came American symbols: American Pie, Rock and Roll music, The Hamburger and strangely enough The North American Beaver. Many believe that the Beavers were brought here as a natural attempt to clear uninhabitable forest-land, or to be given to children as pets by their returning from duty, Military fathers. But as the Beaver's original purpose was forgotten the damage they cause to local flora and fauna has continued unabated.

It is now thought that over a third of all Japanese waterways are inhabited by the alien Beaver, with population numbers about to boom this spring. As many other world habitats have learnt to their peril local dominant species are the most likely to suffer when foreign wildlife is introduced into an alien environment. In this case Japan's very own Cherry Tree is being the worst hit by the beavers, who attack the base of the treasured trees for its sweet cherry flavour.

Indeed my own community is preparing for this season's invasion of Beavers, protecting the local trees with chicken wire and Beaver-proof fencing in an attempt to keep Japan's natural beauty in check. Wildlife officials are asking local councils to keep an eye out for wandering American Beavers and report any sightings to the relevant pest control authorities. Hope is still strong that another piece of nature will not be decimated because of Man's naivety.
More to come soon on this as I hear it, for now check out the Link to go to a local Japanese company's beaver-control website.

Archived Link