A beaver’s tail - a life’s future lies in court
I got to know a little baby beaver, who was orphaned and left by the road two years ago, through social media. A local wildlife rehabilitator took the little ball of fur into her care and allowed folks to see her grow into a 2 year old healthy teenager. As she reaches full maturity in another year or so, she is continuing to learn how to be an adult, learning to look for food, allowing her instincts to develop. At this stage of her life, she is completely dependent on her caretaker, and has little interaction with other beavers, and because they are very territorial creatures, a single orphan’s life journey is a precarious one. How often do rehabbers see orphaned baby beavers? My guess is not often.
Typically beavers keep their family in the den and raise the young for two years. The babies learn a lot in the meantime - how to forage, build a den, and socialize with their siblings. Much like us humans. Take away all of that, and this orphan has no chance of surviving on its own. The natural progression of socializing by humans makes things challenging for the caretaker. Finding other orphans is even harder.
Nibi (Algonquin name for Water) is now almost an adult. Her caretaker, Jane has been tirelessly working with her, built her a realistic pond, bringing sticks to allow her to play and hopefully build a home. But, she is not ready to fend for herself. And because laws stipulate holding onto a wild animal beyond the suggested timeframe is against the law, it was clear Nibi needed more time with the possibly of never being able to fend for herself out in the wilds. A recent petition to keep her as an educational animal was denied. The federal body that oversees wildlife has many divisions, and the Massachusetts unit did not entertain a visit to see if Jane’s case was indeed valid and made statements to the media that was not true; a notice to release Nibi in June was never communicated.
The lines that are toed working with government agencies are fragile. In the case with Jane, who’s clearly a skilled and valued rehabber and considered one of the top rehabbers in this country, constantly goes to that line to ask for permissions. Some given, many denied. It’s a frustrating and long-winded struggle to allow her to do what is right for the welfare of the animal in her care. Many of her patients that hit the heartstrings the hardest is with rodenticide poisonings. Few of her patients survive this lethal poisioning. But for Nibi, it’s not rodenticide. It’s lack of maturity, winter being just around the corner, finding a proper colony that will accept her, and worst of all, hunting season is starting in less than a month (why people still trap beavers is beyond me).
I really do wish the governing bodies that work with wildlife would change their release policies or at least form a better relationship with the people who work 24/7, totally volunteer, to care and treat injured/orphaned animals. It’s the right thing to do. In the end, it’s really making the right decision for the welfare of the animal.
Nibi’s story doesn’t end here. Her case is due in court this coming Friday. Many legistrators and our governor are on board to make sure Nibi’s welfare has a happy ending. I truly hope the courts do the right thing and allow Nibi to have a long and happy life … even if she’s in the company of humans for the duration.