Well, well, well.
Yesterday was pretty exciting. The first thing we learned was that the beaver at Lindsey was 13 Kilograms not pounds, which meant it was an adult or sub adult. I also learned that it had a chipped tooth and was showing some neurological signs as well.
Cheryl found out from her volunteer that they needed willow and I called Jean who was happy to help. Since she couldn’t find much willow because its not leafing out yet she brought fennel, which is very sweet and a reminder of the kindness she paid to mom beaver over the years.
They think the beaver is a female so the question remains whether its our mom (who would have had to have lost a lot of weight), or our 2 year old, or a stranger trying to move into the creek. i wonder if there’s a way to scan for pregnancy, because that would be helpful clue. Of course it matters because of where the beaver is ultimately released.
As a golden reminder to me to be careful what i write every morning, the helpful nice woman who answered my call yesterday later looked up the website and posted a comment last night.
Hi Heidi – I took your Lindsay call on Thursday and I confess to being thrilled to learn it was *the* Heidi Perryman, (yeah, a little star struck having just read the book ), but solicitous comes naturally to me; especially at the hotline/accession desk. That’s where I get to meet or talk to wonderful people (like you!) who care so much – on both sides of the desk.
Thanks for all you have done and continue to do for beavers.
Wow! Thanks Paula! It’s thrilling to think anyone reads this at all!
Now the results of the ‘peoples choice’ wildlife photo were posted yesterday in the UK and guess what who’s a finalist?
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: a baby beaver given a fighting chance
This male beaver was found orphaned on a riverbank near a campsite – he was a just baby (called a kit) and weighed about a kilogramme.
Photographer Suzi Eszterhas’s adorable image of this little creature clutching a leaf is one of 25 shortlisted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year LUMIX People’s Choice Award.
Suzi’s subjects are at the heart of her photography, a key component to her storytelling being what we perceive as innate innocence.
‘We grow up being taught to be strong and not to show weakness and are ashamed if we do,’ says Suzi, ‘but I think we yearn for vulnerability and are attracted to images that show vulnerability in its most beautiful innocent form – like baby animals.
It’s wonderful to see a baby beaver on the shortlist, but even more fun me is that this photo was taken during the summer of 2015 during the photo shoot of our beavers for Ranger Rick. Every so often Suzi would have to pop off to Washington or Monterey to photograh a baby sea otter or a kit. Suzi gave us the bundle of ‘beaver photos’ she accumulated that year to use in training. Including this lovely and familiar face.
Beavers are considered to be ‘keystone’ species, as the ponds and wetlands created by their dams increase the biodiversity of the local ecosystem. Previous research from the University of Stirling found that the presence of beavers in wetlands can lead to 33% more plant species and 26% more beetles.
The wildlife rehabilitators at Sarvey don camouflaging suits to look less human and prevent malimprinting – when a negative, non-reversible bond is created with the caregiver. They also paired the beaver with an adult female who had suffered her own traumatic journey.
Go help Suzi and beavers by voting for this adorable baby picture here;
Oh and the exciting conclusion to Jon’s citizen interview yesterday? He’s in baby! Swearing in ceremony in Oakland in three weeks. Not exactly ‘young’ but obviously I just had post this.
