BOSTON — The question of whether a 2-year-old beaver named Nibi can stay with the rescuers she has known since she was a baby or must be released into the wild was resolved last week when the Massachusetts governor stepped in to protect Nibi. The state issued a permit to Newhouse Wildlife Rescue for Nibi to remain at the rehabilitation facility and serve as an educational animal. "Nibi has captured the hearts of many of our residents, mine included," Massachusetts Gov.
Maura Healey said Thursday. "We're excited to share that we have issued a permit for Nibi to remain in Newhouse's care, continuing to educate the public about this important species." This October 2024 photo shows Nibi, then a 1-year-old beaver, at the Newhouse Wildlife Rescue in Chelmsford, Mass.
Nibi's fate made it all the way to the state courts before Healey stepped in. A judge said Tuesday that Nibi would be allowed to stay in her home at the rescue center in Chelmsford, located northwest of Boston. A hearing was set for Friday in a case filed by the rescuers against MassWildlife, the state's division of fisheries and wildlife, to stop the release.
Nibi's rescuers at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue said on their Facebook page that they were "beyond grateful" for Healey's decision. Nibi was a hit on the rescue group's social media since she was a baby, and posts about her impending release garnered thousands of comments. An online petition to save Nibi from being released into the wild received more 25,000 signa.
