Tuesday September 5, 2023 | LANGFORD, BC [Updated October 2, 2023]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
On this first day back-to-school after the Labour Day weekend, at 6:14 am West Shore RCMP received a report of a beaver in the street on Millstream Road near Bear Mountain Parkway in Langford. [RCMP File # 2023-18107]
The animal was alive, but would not move for cars, and was believed to be injured.
Police officers attended and located the beaver, who later identified the animal as an adolescent female, who was very distressed, shaking, and could not seem to walk. It was suspected that she may have been struck by a car.
The officers contacted the Animal Control Emergency Line and BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (aka Wild ARC) for a consultation and learned that the beaver definitely required medical assistance. However due to the early hour, no one was available to come and collect her.
The officers decided to transport the beaver themselves, using a dog control snare and a tarp to safely move her into a police car. The beaver was quite flustered so great care had to be taken to both avoid causing her any further injury, and also to keep her from biting the officers.
Once safely in a police car, the beaver was taken to Wild ARC where staff were standing by to receive her and administer medical attention.
“These officers took it upon themselves to go above and beyond and ensure that the beaver received the best possible chance at survival, said Cst. Andrew Matheson, West Shore RCMP Media Relations Officer.
The latest update from Wild ARC is that the beaver is in good spirits, and is expected to make a full recovery.
“This young juvenile female beaver is being stabilized at BC SCPA Wild ARC,” said a spokesperson for the animal rehabilitation centre. “Because young beavers spend the winter with their family and are highly social, we are transferring the kit to Critter Care Wildlife Society for long term care,” said Breanne Beckett.
“A heartfelt thanks to the kindness and quick action of the West Shore RCMP who assisted getting this kit the immediate care she needed. We thank them for going above and beyond to help this wild animal,” said Beckett in a statement to Island Social Trends.