There have been so many beaver news stories in recent days, it’s a relief that I can catch up this morning. Let’s say the leftovers are kind of a mixed bag. Some rotten news and some wonderful news. Of course I’m starting with the rotten.

I’m not sure whether the Round-up has anything to do with it, but I’m going to bet that CDFW know more than they’re saying. Surely concentrations get stronger when the fresh water content of the delta is affected by another drought. I would be heartbroken for those beavers, but the delta is a very hard place to be a beaver even if you aren’t poisoned.

Let’s have a cheerful chaser after that heavy shot of bad news, This was posted by Beavers: Wetlands and Wildlife a few days ago. It’s a feel-good beaver story that is worth sharing. From WJLA in DC.

Isn’t that something? I’m not sure if even I’d have the guts to bundle up an injured beaver and drive him across state lines for treatment in my prius. Good for him!

Good news also to our own Ben Goldfarb who’s amazing book made the Washington Post list of the top 50 non fiction reads in 2018.

50 notable works of nonfiction in 2018

Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter

By Ben Goldfarb (Chelsea Green)

Hurray for Ben and his wonderful, page-turning read about beaver benefits. I have been in the beaver reporting biz a long time now and this is the very best year the animals have ever had, and they owe that all to you.

One final snippet of good news comes from beaver friend Willy De Koning the filmmaker and  wildlife photographer in the Netherlands that put together those awesome videos I’ve shared before. I noticed recently on facebook she posted a wildlife photo I didn’t recognize. So I had to look it up. Isn’t it amazing?

Of course like you I had ZERO idea what a korenwolf was. And it turns out it’s a wild hamster in the Netherlands!!!! Its name is like “CORN-WOLF” because it eats what grows in the field. How much do you love this news? Maybe we should start calling beavers “Willow wolves?”

This isn’t her film but I just had to see them in the wild.

Thanks Willy, for yet another wonderful gift! I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to think of all the caged hamsters in children’s rooms, running on that stupid wheel but dreaming of their escape to the Netherlands!