Beech martens chewing threw cables, destroying animal ambulances in Gelderland town

The Nederrijn Animal Ambulance has a dilemma. The organization stands for protecting all animals, but beech martens in Heelsum have already broken four of its ambulance vehicles. The critters gnaw through the vehicles’ cables to get to the fish oil in some car cables.

“Where the Nederrijn Animal Ambulance is concerned with the welfare of animals, the stone marten is unfortunately not,” an employee of the Heelsum-based animal ambulance told Omroep Gelderland.

The critters live in the wooded area surrounding the animal ambulance station and can’t be kept away from the ambulance cables. “Four of our vehicles have already fallen prey to them and have completely broken. The damage caused is now around 10,000 euros.”

The organization is taking animal-friendly measures to stop the martens, such as installing grilles under the ambulances and noise makers or flashing lights to startle them away. The costs of these measures are already approaching 5,000 euros. The Nederrijn Animal Ambulance has started a campaign to collect donations.

“We are committed to providing assistance to animals in need at all times. But then the stone martens must be willing to help us.”