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Beaver finds a Buddy

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Beaver Finds a Buddy!

In June 2016, the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) admitted a lone baby beaver (beaver kit) to our wildlife rehabilitation centre north of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She was given intake number 16-946.

She had been found alone in northwest Calgary, suffering from wounds to her tail. She was far away from water and there were no other reported beavers in the area. With the little information we have, our best guess is that she was picked up by a predator and then dropped. Based on her weight and size, we estimated her to be no more than 5 weeks old.

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 and consultation with other wildlife rehabilitators experienced in caring for beavers, 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.

Following her admission in 2016, beaver 16-946 received medical treatment for her wounds and made a full recovery. She progressed from being formula fed to solid foods and constantly rearranges the branches in her enclosure. She has progressed incredibly well in care and we are very happy with her progress, but she has always been alone… until now!

In June 2017, AIWC admitted a male beaver after he was found stuck in a northwest Calgary storm drain, suffering from deep bite wounds on his lower back. He was assigned patient number 17-536 and is approximately two years old.

Beaver 17-536 responded well to medical treatment, made a full recovery from his injuries, and was moved to an outdoor enclosure neighbouring our female beaver patient.

Beavers are primarily nocturnal, so we didn’t see the two beavers interacting until one evening AIWC staff witnessed them walking along the fence line together. Introducing strange beavers to one another can sometimes be very challenging and result in serious injuries, but we were thrilled to see these two bonding together on their own, so the decision was made to slowly make introductions.

As you can see from the video, our beavers are now getting along swimmingly! You can tell them apart because our female patient, 16-946, is a lighter, blonder colour than her new friend.

This is great news for both of them! 16-946 still requires another year of care before she can be released to the wild, and our male patient, 17-536, was most likely evicted from his territory and wasn’t yet able to thrive on his own. By bonding together at our wildlife rehabilitation centre, they can now be stronger together both here and for life in the wild.

Caring for both beavers until spring 2018 will be a large expense for AIWC, and adds up to nearly $23,000.00:

Food and water:  $316.00 / week = $12,640
Husbandry care: $247.50 / week = $9,900

So we need your help to give this pair a second chance at life in the wild! Please consider donating today.

Funds from this campaign will directly support the costs of caring for our beaver patients, and you can support them in many ways:

· Through our GoFundMe campaign
·  By donating to AIWC through our online store at aiwc.shop
·  By symbolically adopting a pair of North American beavers in their honour through aiwc.shop

As the beavers continue to grow and bond, we will keep you updated on their care. Check back often for updates and be sure to follow AIWC on social media for updates on all of our wild patients!

Since 1993, AIWC has been a champion for the rehabilitation of orphaned, injured, and oiled wildlife. Accredited through the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, we serve the needs of Alberta’s diverse wildlife, and the public, in Calgary and southern Alberta. As a registered charity, AIWC relies on charitable donations and the support of dedicated volunteers to provide care to more than 1,800 wild animals annually, as the demand to our services grows each year. AIWC welcomes Alberta’s wildlife in need, small and large, from hummingbirds to beaver kits!

Every wild life matters.

Visit us online at aiwc.ca!

Facebook: facebook.com/albertainstituteforwildlifeconservation

Instagram @albertawildlife: instagram.com/albertawildlife/

Organizer

Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation
Organizer
Madden, AB

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