Nibi the Beaver, A Local Celebrity, Visits Shore

Shore students welcomed a statewide celebrity to campus! Nibi the beaver, the same furry friend for whom Massachusetts governor Maura Healey personally issued a permit to extend the animal’s tenure at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, came to visit campus and was a huge hit with the students. Shore was lucky to be one of the first stops on Nibi’s journey, which will include educational trips to schools around the state to increase public awareness of the many dangers facing native species local to Massachusetts. Students in Pre-K through Grade 3 learned about all of the animals that Newhouse Wildlife Rescue cares for, from porcupines, to fishers, to snakes and other reptiles. Students were enamored with the process of rescuing and rehabilitating the animals, and the story of Nibi’s rescue and rise to fame brought big emotions to many of the little ones assembled in the crowd.

Beavers are common throughout Massachusetts and are considered a keystone species of our ecosystem. By damming rivers and streams, beavers create healthy wetlands, which provide support for a plethora of plants, bugs, and wildlife. During stormy weather which the northeast is well known for, these wetlands also act as a much needed storage space for excess floodwaters. The animals can grow exceptionally large, up to eighty pounds, and adults have very few natural predators, which means that beavers can live for twenty years or more in the wild. The beaver’s ingenious lodge-style living quarters and family-oriented lifestyle also contribute to their prevalence in the region.

Nibi’s story began unassumingly on the side of the road, when she was abandoned as a small kit. After being rescued and finding a new home at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, Nibi’s rise to fame was rapid, as her confidence, style, and overall cute behavior became a smash hit on social media. She’s got a big personality and has been labeled as a ‘diva’ and a ‘princess’ by her rescuers due to her penchant for getting her way, and it seems like the Newhouse Wildlife Rescue team is more than ready and willing to share the wonderful experience that is interacting with Nibi with the greater community. 

For Shore students, this was an unforgettable experience. The joy on the students’ faces and the excitement in their eyes when Nibi arrived showed what a wonderful effect she had on them. To have the opportunity to meet and interact with such a fascinating animal was both magical and memorable for them. Many students were so touched by the assembly that they went above and beyond, sending thoughtful cards to Nibi and her caretakers. The cards were full of kind well-wishes, amazing artwork, and even funny poems to share. Mrs. White’s Pre-K 2 class wrote a thoughtful letter to Nibi, including some questions. One highlight of the letter was their compassion for Nibi, writing, “Dear Nibi and Jane, thank you for coming to Shore! Pre-K students sometimes feel shy. We loved it when Nibi met the Shore beaver!”. It was evident how moved the children were by the presence of such a beautiful creature of nature, and it was apparent that the visit will have a lasting impact on the way our students think about wildlife.

The Shore beaver was incredibly excited to meet this famous leader in the local beaver community, and we can’t wait to see the joy and learning that Nibi’s presence will bring to other schools across Massachusetts.