Weighing only about one pound each when admitted, the beaver kits grew up together at PAWS Wildlife Center. By the time they were released, they had spent more than a year in PAWS’ care.As the beavers matured they practiced their construction skills. All of the wood around the hide box in the background was placed there by the beavers.After they were placed in the lodge, the beavers came out to explore. Having had minimal human contact at PAWS, they were wary of the people who were there to wish them well. Everyone soon left so the beavers could explore in peace.A floating lodge that staff built is serving as a temporary home for the beavers. PAWS Wildlife Facilities Caretaker Jim Green and Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager Dondi Byrne get the lodge ready at the release site.
How cute is that floating lodge! Is it just me or do you WANT one? I bet our beavers could use one of those….it’s not a luxury. When Leonard and Lois Houston relocated some beavers in Oregon last year one of the families was eaten by a moutain lion because they hadn’t time to build a shelter yet. There’s a lot of stupid news in beaver world this morning, with North Carolina undertaking some statewide genocide, Alabama paying for tails and Province deciding to “lower” the beaver population. Before we have the spirit to tackle all that stupid, I though the PAWS story would give us something to smile about.
