About this time every year we get stories about crazy yearling beavers scurrying across the highway or through a grocery store or over farm equipment. It’s dispersal time, and that means its time for two year olds to head off into the world and seek their fortune. Sometimes the stories end horribly, because dispersal is the most dangerous time of a beaver’s life. Sometimes they end with a sigh of relief because someone slowed down their car or helped the beaver through traffic and showed a little compassion.
And then sometimes there’s this.
Bumbling beaver escorted to safety by Oregon City Police (with video)
Oregon City Police escorted a beaver to Abernethy Creek on Thursday night after it was spotted wandering across McLoughlin Boulevard. Oregon City Police spokesman Lt. Jim Band said the beaver appeared to be lost and was walking toward the headlights of passing cars near 14th Street around 11:30 p.m.
Knowing beavers typically aren’t the friendliest or most cooperative creatures, Band said an officer tried to use a pole with a noose to catch the animal. However, the officer quickly realized the easiest way to get the beaver out of danger was to herd it back to Abernethy Creek.
For a long time I have revered Washington State and devoted my highest praise for its treatment of water and fish and beaver. I admired their culverts and their fish passage and their careful stewardship of watershed resources. I have practically strewn their name with rose petals in describing it as the most eco-savvy state in the union when it came to certain aquatic rodents. I thought my love would hold strong and that I would be faithful forever to Washington.
But, I’ve met someone new.
“It was a long walk that took several officers about 40 minutes, but there really was no better option,” Band said in a press release. “The beaver turned out to be pretty mellow, as you can see in the video.”
Once near the creek, the beaver scuttled down the bank, into the water and swam off, Band said. As expected, this scene drew a lot of attention from onlookers.
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Now a shout for helpers from our friends at Bird Rescue where our own Cheryl Reynolds is eager to add you to the team.
International Bird Rescue Volunteer Orientation:
Do you love helping wildlife? Then come be a part of our dedicated team and learn how you can help. International Bird Rescue is a non-profit wildlife hospital for injured and orphaned aquatic birds. Volunteers are needed to help in our wildlife hospital, transportation of wildlife and facilities support.
International Bird Rescue has been saving seabirds and other aquatic birds around the world since 1971. Bird Rescue cares for over 5,000 birds every year at its two bird rescue centers.
Our next orientation will be:
Saturday March 16, 2013, 10 am- 12 pm
at our SF Bay Center in Fairfield.
For more information please visit us. Or contact Cheryl.
