Video: Beaver rescuer Sherri Tippie gets an overdue shout-out on PBS
Thirty years ago, when Sherri Tippie first got interested in trying to save a keystone species whose habitat was being wiped out by breakneck development up and down the Front Range, she was ridiculed by wildlife officials as a rank amateur. What, after all, could a hairdresser and former go-go dancer know about trapping and relocating beaver?
But over the last three decades Tippie has trapped, fed, cuddled, relocated and serenaded more beaver than anyone else on the planet. Wildlife agencies now routinely come to her for guidance and inspiration — as did the PBS program Nature, which airs a segment this week on the growing effort to reintroduce beaver to revitalize rivers across the West and features Tippie as one of the top crusaders for the species.
The hour-long segment, “Leave It to Beavers,” airs on Wednesday, May 14 (7 p.m. MDT on Rocky Mountain PBS, Channel 6). It’s long overdue recognition by one of the country’s top nature programs of Tippie’s work, which was the subject of my 2011 feature, also (predictably) titled “Leave It to Beaver.”
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ice to see Sherri once again getting the recognition she deserves! The author of the blog is a big fan of hers and wrote the huge article on her in Westwood a few years back. Remember it appeared with this great artwork, by Eleanor Grosch (which incidentally, will be featured in the silent auction this year). I think he was understandably a little smitten with her many charms. Now he’s promoting the upcoming documentary which had the good sense to put her in it!
Speaking of the silent auction, we received another enormously generous donation from Safari West this year, which I mention because Worth A Dam stalwarts Lory and Ron are off today to enjoy their winning bid from last year. Our friends at Safari West have promised a behind the scenes meet and greet, and I know they’re going to have a wonderful time. If you’re feeling jealous you should be. Why not bring your check book to the beaver festival and make sure you win this year’s prize!
Last night we counted 5 beavers and I thought you’d enjoy some Mother’s Day footage. This is mom with one of last year’s kits. Since our new mom doesn’t oblige Martinez by having a distinctive tail, we know it’s mom by the visible teats Cheryl saw when standing downstream. Oh and the very childish whine the younger beaver made when she approached! Mom’s on the right.
