Des Moines exiles 2 gnaw-ty tree vandals

Catch up quick: The rodents felled two large trees and gnawed on several others in recent weeks.

• That prompted the city to hire a contractor who trapped and relocated them to a private property outside Polk County, parks superintendent Julie Hempel tells Axios.

State of play: The downed trees were left partly in the water so staff can watch for signs of fresh beaver activity, and most of the cottonwoods on the lake's west side were wrapped in chicken wire to discourage further gnaw-ty activity.

• None has been observed since the final relocation on Sept. 25, Hempel says.

🚨 The bottom line: Even the wildlife in DSM can run afoul of development rules.