Renovations to River’s area are underway, and not a minute too soon! He’s growing! While still a baby in beaver years, River’s already a whopping 30 pounds and 36 inches long. He’s gained 23 pounds and 2 feet in length since his debut at Southwest Wildlife six months ago!
The first upgrade to arrive was River’s new pool. It’s 8 feet in diameter, 2 feet deep, and a fabulous shade of green! A volunteer work crew from Medtronic steered the huge green tank through gates and under trees and prepared the new pool area.
With the pool temporarily in place, we made a ramp up to its edge, placed a “raccoon house” on a metal stand in the middle, and began filling it with water. River couldn’t wait to explore. Once he figured out that the sound of running water was coming from the big tub, he quickly found the ramp. Up, up he went, and plop! He was in! It all happened so fast, we hadn’t even gotten the pool filled! Oh, what a happy little guy he was!
Getting him out, however, was another matter. River’s pool is located outside of his existing enclosure in an area with no fencing over the top. He’s still too young and vulnerable to be left outside alone at night. This requires his caregivers to “put him up” each afternoon—taking him back to his smaller enclosure.
At first, River cooperated with this plan. But, it didn’t take him long to decide he’d rather stay in his big pool. (In case you were wondering, there’s no easy way to catch a slippery beaver in an 8-foot swimming pool when he doesn’t want to be caught.)
Fortunately, we had a secret weapon. When he was small, River made a couple of trips to visit schools, was very well behaved, and loved the attention. He traveled in a small blue plastic dog crate. He associates this crate with good things, sort of like a magic portal that takes him to wonderful places. When he has visitors, he will frequently hurry over to sit in his crate, hoping you will take him somewhere delightful.
It didn’t take long to discover that if we held this special crate so that River could swim into it, he would. He simply couldn’t resist! Once inside the crate, he can be carried back to his area in the barn. A great solution, until you realize just how much bigger this beaver is going to get!
Our future design plans now include an enclosure which won’t require lifting this growing chunk of beaver and in which he can have full-time use of his new pool, plus plenty of opportunities to visit with people.
(For those of you who might wonder… River doesn’t take his stuffed hedgehog into the big pool, but still cuddles with Hedge when he sleeps. Don’t miss the video of River and Hedge posted on our website.)
Story by Kris Wheaton
Photos by W.J. Wheaton and Kris Wheaton
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