Teen Tubing on River Saves Baby Beaver That Leaps Into His Arms

Low water levels on the Cowichan River on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, led to a surprise beaver rescue for a family out tubing. While drifting along the river, Liz Belanger heard squeaks coming from the rapids and spotted a tiny baby beaver struggling in the current. Her son Connor reached out his hand, and the 1-week-old baby immediately “jumped into his arms.”

The kit clung tightly to the family as they rushed her to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC), where staff began caring for her right away.

Rescuers believe the beaver was separated from her nest and mother when the drought dropped river levels and then rose quickly, flushing her into the current.

Now named “Timber” the beaver will be reintroduced into the wild next year.

According to NIWRC the beaver is “now safe, warm, gaining weight, and growing curious they are showing all of that busy beaver energy we love to see. She is not out of the woods yet but her progress is promising.”

A few months after her rescue Timber is growing up strong and quickly! Now well over 6kg, NIWRC says “she is meeting and exceeding all of her rehabilitation goals, she’s even started moving large branches around and adding to her little beaver dam, perfecting her home for the winter!”