The very best thing to do with beavers is to do nothing and let them choose where they want to be. The very second best thing might be this.

Modern-day trappers are using beavers to fight the effects of drought

A partnership between governmental agencies and university researchers has modern-day trappers searching Utah for beavers. But they aren’t after pelts. Instead they’re using the large rodent to lessen the effects of drought. From KZMU in Moab, Justin Higginbottom has more.

Sandbach is one a number of modern-day trappers searching the state for beavers in a partnership between governmental agencies and university researchers. But they aren’t after pelts. Instead, they’re using the semi-aquatic animal to lessen effects of drought in the region.

In Sandbach’s time trapping she’s gotten to know quite a few of the large rodents.

“It’s interesting, they really do have different behaviors. We just released our last one… He was super aggressive like the whole time. He was a big male. He was kind of scary. He would hiss and lunge at us,” says Sandbach.

But the beaver today is calm with her back turned. Sandbach named her Ice Baby after finding her in the cold waters of a high-elevation canyon. Ice Baby had contributed to an impressive complex which the land’s owner thought was getting out of control.

Although Ice Baby now finds herself some 60 miles south of her home waters, she’s actually lucky.

“Before this project, usually the solution would be lethal removal,” says Sandbach.

Now the hope is that Ice Baby will go to work for the state. Prolonged drought is drying up sections of this river and threatening its fish, including three endangered species. Sandbach and others think beavers can help.

It’s a nice story with a fun little audio clip that I can’t figure out to embed. Click on the headline to go listen for yourself.

Although Ice Baby now finds herself some 60 miles south of her home waters, she’s actually lucky.

“Before this project, usually the solution would be lethal removal,” says Sandbach.

Now the hope is that Ice Baby will go to work for the state. Prolonged drought is drying up sections of this river and threatening its fish, including three endangered species. Sandbach and others think beavers can help.