The Internet’s Favorite Baby
Beaver Finally Finds Love
“Animal
rescuers in Canada have just shared some seriously heartwarming updates about 2
injured baby beavers they took in, who have since found companionship in their
care.
Last
year, the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) took in a young
female beaver who had been found alone & injured… Rescuers believe she… was
only 5 weeks old.
With
care, she recovered from the ordeal, & captured the hearts of millions of
people after an Instagram video of her taking a bath went viral.
But she
has been alone ever since.
As AIWC
explained, ‘Beavers are incredibly social animals. Both parents raise their
young together for 2-3 years before the kits naturally disperse on their own.
After extensive research & consultation…we determined that our young beaver
patient needs to similarly remain in care until she is 2-3 years old to
properly prepare for her return to life in the wild.’
Unbeknownst
to her, things were about to change. Earlier this summer, the organization took
in a young male who had been found injured in a storm drain in Calgary. After
being treated, he was later moved to an outdoor enclosure next to the female,
where the 2 started to stealthily bond through the fence that separated them.
‘Beavers
are primarily nocturnal, so we didn’t see the 2 beavers interacting until one
evening AIWC staff witnessed them walking along the fence line together,’ AIWC
wrote. ‘…we were thrilled to see these 2 bonding together on their own, so the
decision was made to slowly make introductions.’
Because
they’re both so young, AIWC says their relationship so far is purely platonic,
but it’s no less precious, & the pair have taken to doing a number of
activities together.
Although
they’ll spend much more time in AIWC’s care, the organization expects to
release them together next year when they’re old enough to go out on their own.
Hopefully they will thrive when they’re returned to the wild, & their story
will inspire more people to appreciate these little ecosystem engineers.
For
more updates and info on how to help, check out the Alberta Institute for
Wildlife Conservation.”
Alicia
Graef
Aug.
30/ 2017
care2.com
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