When staff from Loudoun County Animal Services in Virginia spotted a young beaver wandering through an open field last month, they immediately knew something was wrong. Beavers rarely stray so far from water — and this one was moving slowly, too weak to even try to escape.
Concerned, the officers carefully scooped her up and brought her to Kristi’s Caring Hands Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education (KCHWRE). But it quickly became clear that the little beaver was in more serious condition than the center could handle, so she was rushed to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center (BRWC) for urgent care.
There, veterinarians gave her a full exam and discovered she was battling pneumonia and had likely suffered internal injuries.
“On admission, our veterinary team noted that she was weak with labored breathing,” BRWC shared on Facebook. “[X-rays] indicate pneumonia or fluid from near-drowning as well as trauma on the left side.”
Though the prognosis was grim, the team refused to give up. They began round-the-clock treatment, providing supportive care to help her breathe easier and regain strength.
And while the young beaver couldn’t thank them with words, her rescuers noticed something remarkable — she looked like she was smiling.
“She’s grateful to have been rescued,” one commenter wrote after seeing her picture online.
Within days, the little beaver began showing encouraging signs of recovery. Her appetite returned, her energy grew, and her caretakers pieced together what might have happened: she may have been swept from her lodge during flooding, or even survived a dam collapse.
As weeks passed, her pneumonia cleared, her injuries healed, and her playful spirit returned. You can watch the beaver enjoy a meal in her enclosure here:
But there was one more step in her recovery journey: she needed the companionship of other beavers to prepare for life back in the wild.
Since BRWC doesn’t treat many beavers each year and didn’t have specialized enclosures, they transferred her to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke (SWVWCR). There, surrounded by other rescued beavers, she began to thrive even more.
Today, the once-sick youngster is steadily growing stronger, inching closer to the day she can return to her natural home. Until then, she continues to charm her caregivers with her sweet demeanor — and that unforgettable little “smile” that seems to say thank you.
“We are so fortunate in Virginia to have such an amazing network of permitted wildlife rehabilitators,” BRWC wrote. “It truly takes a village.”
Thanks to that village, one small beaver now has a very big chance at a happy, wild future.
To help animals like this beaver get the care they need, you can donate to Blue Ridge Wildlife Center here and Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke here.
