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Viral Chelmsford beaver won’t be released into the wild just yet amid mounting protests, online petition
Rescuers are pleading for Nibi the beaver to remain in captivity until at least next spring.
Following public outcry and pleas from her rescuers, a 2-year-old beaver named “Nibi” will not be released back into the wild Tuesday.
More than 22,000 people have signed a petition to protect Nibi, who was raised at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue in Chelmsford after she was found orphaned on the side of a busy road. Now, a judge has dammed up wildlife officials’ plans to release Nibi into the wild, issuing a temporary restraining order.
Nibi’s plight went viral on social media Monday after Newhouse Wildlife Rescue announced the state’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) wanted her released from captivity as soon as possible.
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In an emotional Facebook Live, founder Jane Newhouse explained how rescuers tried to socialize Nibi with other beavers over the years, to no avail — according to Newhouse, Nibi wanted nothing to do with her own species. A 2022 video viewed by millions even showed Nibi building a dam to keep another beaver out of the facility’s rehab room.
“I didn’t know beavers until I knew Nibi. And she’s obnoxious, guys. She’s spoiled rotten. She’s a diva,” Newhouse said, chuckling. “I love her. I love her, and I’ve learned to love beavers. And many people have fallen in love with Nibi and learned to love beavers and to respect beavers and to try to learn and live with beavers.”
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Newhouse said she asked state wildlife officials to designate Nibi an educational animal in July, because the beaver had grown too habituated to people. She said she received no response until the end of September, when the state denied her request. Boston.com has reached out to MassWildlife for comment.
“Their whole thing is they want Nibi to be free, and actually, we’re not on opposite pages there,” Newhouse said. “I want Nibi to be free, too. I don’t want Nibi to be in a cage her whole life.”
However, she expressed concern about releasing Nibi this late in the season, giving her little time to adjust to life in the wild before winter hits. Thousands have now joined the fight to keep Nibi at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue.
“Nibi was raised under human care and forcing her into the wild could put her at serious risk, a risk we consider not only unnecessary, but also potentially disastrous,” a Change.org petition reads.
Gov. Maura Healey has even weighed in, telling reporters she halted MassWildlife’s plan to release Nibi and urged wildlife officials to reconsider, according to NBC10 Boston.
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“We’re going to protect Nibi and make sure that Nibi is taken care of,” Healey reportedly said.
Newhouse Wildlife Rescue also filed for an emergency injunction in court, asking a judge to either allow Nibi to remain at the facility until at least next spring, or to designate her an educational ambassador. Judge Cathleen Campbell signed an order Tuesday granting a temporary restraining order, pending a hearing Friday morning.
“That one time that people all over America rallied to save one beaver…” Newhouse Wildlife Rescue posted to Facebook earlier on Tuesday. “I don’t think I have ever felt so broken, yet so uplifted, all at the same time.”
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