BOSTON (WCVB) – The fight over the state of Massachusetts’ plan to release a 2-year-old beaver back into the wild went to court Tuesday.
The animal has been living in captivity at a wildlife rescue center in Chelmsford, and the rescue group is fighting to keep it there.
The beaver, named Nibi, is being cared for by Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, which took the animal in when it was only 2 days old and found on the side of the road.
Jane Newhouse said efforts to prepare the beaver to return to the wild have not worked.
She said Nibi should remain in captivity as an educational animal.
However, Massachusetts Wildlife disagrees, citing the need for the beaver to return to its natural habitat.
Its original release date was scheduled for this week.
“I don’t understand why all of a sudden now it’s like, ‘No, she can’t stay, she’s got to be released,’” Newhouse said.
Nibi’s release is now on hold after several of the state’s lawmakers have reached out in support.
“I don’t see the harm in allowing the beaver to stay there,” Rep. Rodney Elliott said. “There are people that are concerned including the owner of Newhouse that she will… Nibi will not survive in the wild.”
Even the state’s governor, Maura Healey, has weighed in on the controversy.
“There was a talk about releasing Nibi into the wild, and I heard about that and I said, ‘No, we’re going to pause on that and evaluate what’s best for Nibi,’” Healey said.
A court order has now set a hearing on this case for Friday.
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