Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
CHELMSFORD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Amid community backlash and concerns, officials with MassWildlife will not be removing a beaver from an animal rescue organization.
Supporters of the beaver, who has been named Nibi, gathered on the front lawn of the amphibious rodent’s home in Chelmsford for the past two years after she was rescued as a pup.
The assembled group of protesters showed support for Nibi and Newhouse Animal Rescue after learning that MassWildlife was planning to return the beaver back to a more natural habitat.
“I just received an email from [MassWildlife] saying that they are delayed in removing her and that they will be in touch with me soon with more information,” said Jane Newhouse, founder of Newhouse Animal Rescue.
Mass Wildlife believes that Nibi needs to be released back into the wild. Newhouse, however, said that could have potentially fatal consequences for Nibi.
Mass. State Representative Colleen Garry agrees with Newhouse and intends to fight against MassWildlife’s insistence that Nibi be relocated.
“This is an animal that needs to be in a safe location; and Newhouse and Jane are the people to do it,” said Garry. “While we have a little bit of a [reprieve] here, we’re not going to stop the fight,” Garry added.
Garry also said that lawyers have filed an injunction in court to keep MassWildlife from removing Nibi.
WBZ NewsRadio has reached out to MassWildlife for comment.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
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