What's next for Nibi? Court hearing could determine beaver's fate
A court hearing scheduled for Friday could determine the future of Nibi, a two-year-old orphaned beaver currently residing at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue in Chelmsford, United States. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife had planned to release Nibi into the wild on Tuesday. However, Governor Maura Healey intervened following an online petition opposing the move that garnered over 25,000 signatures.
Nibi's journey and concerns over her release
Nibi was rescued as a one-pound newborn by Newhouse in 2022. She was found on the side of a road. Attempts to reunite her with potential parent beavers or bond with other orphaned beavers were unsuccessful. The issue arose when Newhouse applied for Nibi to become an educational beaver with MassWildlife, only to learn that not only was this request denied but plans were underway for Nibi's release into the wild.
Newhouse's fears for Nibi's survival in the wild
Jane Newhouse, the rescue group's founder and president expressed concerns over Nibi's release into the wild, fearing it could lead to her demise. She explained that Nibi has not learned essential survival skills such as building lodges or dams and storing food for winter. While beavers typically leave their parents between ages two and three, Newhouse hopes to keep Nibi safe unless she shows interest in returning to the wild.
She loves her life at the rescue center, says Newhouse
"It doesn't give her much time ... to figure out how to build a lodge for the first time, how to build dams for the first time, how to store all of her food before winter sets in," she said. "She loves her life here," Newhouse said, adding, "She's spoiled rotten, and she's got lots of room to run around and her own little pond, [and] all the food, fruit, veggies, nuts, berries she wants."
