Wildlife Rehabilitation Center takes in 3 beavers in 1 day

ROSEVILLE, Minn. – Despite recent snow, 45% of the state is still too dry. More than four million Minnesotans are living in drought conditions. 

Beavers are living in it too, and they don't deal with it as well as humans do.

Over the weekend, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota rescued and admitted three beavers. A bonded pair was found wandering Highway 6 in Wayzata. A younger Kit was found huddled by a garage in Carver, Minnesota. All of the beavers were found to be displaced and far from water.

"We are kind of prepared for the unexpected, but this is really an unusual day for us," said Executive Director Phil Jenni.

He says rescuing and caring for beavers poses unique challenges and takes a team of experienced professionals and partners.

"They're large, they have big teeth, they have claws, and there isn't a wild animal in the world that wants to be picked up," Jenni said.

The Roseville center rapidly gathered the needed supplies and pools to set up an area for the beavers to be treated for minor injuries before being transported to another rehabber with more space. Jenni says after talking with researchers, they believe the drought conditions are causing more movement among beavers and other wildlife.  

 "With water levels coming down, they're on the move trying to find somewhere where they can have their habitat," said Veterinarian Miranda Torkelson.

Typically this time of year, beavers are beginning to hunker down in their homes for the winter.

"We do our best to care for everything that comes in our door as an emergency and get them out as soon as possible," Torkelson said.

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is in the process of building a second facility in Grant, Minnesota, where they hope to have more space to eventually take on more cases like this.