Contest Underway To Trounce The Riga Beaver

An unexpected growth of Riga's beaver population has prompted authorities to take action.

For several months, locals have complained that the sharp-toothed fellows have been damaging the city's picturesque canal, as well as munching through mature trees. The destruction has been especially bad in the region of the National Opera. Ecologists remain flummoxed as to how the beavers have managed to flourish in recent times.

So far, the powers that be have stopped short of eliminating the furry munchkins. However, they have offered cash prizes to locals who can come up with clever ways of sorting out the situation. If no bright ideas emerge, it appears that the beavers may meet with a more grisly fate, with professional hunters on stand-by.