Beaver Rescue at the Eclipse Mill

Memorial Day Saga

By: Charles Giuliano - May 30, 2011

When first spotted the beaver was curled up and resting on a dry area of the river bed.

Friends discuss what action to take.

Headed back upstream.

Formidable odds.

Starting out yet again.

Vin and Michelle keep calling for a rescue team.

Into the torrent.

Plunging ahead gamely.

Enjoying a night out.

Phil keeps an eye on what’s happening.

The North Adams Police respond to the call.

The Beaver is turned around yet again.

The saga continues.

The rescue vehicle drives close to the beaver.

A waiting game.

The vigil continues,

A mighty struggle.

Gathering around the rescue vehicle.

Caged and ready for a drive back to its habitat.

A job well done.

 

On a glorious, warm and sultry evening of the Memorial Day weekend friends at the Eclipse Mill gathered for a picnic.

There were burgers, steaks and sausages on the grill. A table of salads, fresh fruit and Paula’s signature pie.

It was an occasion to kick back and knock down a brew.

Sure was a tough winter and all the more an occasion to gather and celebrate.

Next to the mill is a run off from the mountains. It’s a part of the Hoosac River and back in the day powered the factories when not flooding the town.

There is a small waterfall that we overlook from our loft.

During spring, with melting and heavy rain, it’s a rushing raging river. Come summer it’s down to a trickle.

But more than the beaver could manage trying to climb up against the flow.

It had been swept down and now was exhausted from trying over and over to get back to its tranquil pond upstream.

Vin and Michelle were concerned and contacted the North Adams Police and the animal control officer.

Now and then we checked on the status of the forlorn beaver. Rick speculated that it didn’t have a prayer of getting over that waterfall even with its relatively mild current.

Continuing our meal we waited for the arrival of the control officer.

When she arrived there was discussion of just how to get down into the canal and close enough for a rescue attempt.

It seems that there was an access gate down stream. With a cement river bed she was able to drive the SUV close to the edge of the flow.

There she waited for the beaver to run out of gas and float down close enough to be snared.

Night encroached when someone alerted us that the moment of truth had arrived.

There was quite a struggle. Though exhausted the critter put up a fight.

Even with a flash it was too far away in dim light to get a good shot.

A mighty cheer went up when the beaver was finally bagged and placed in the back of the vehicle.

We all swarmed around for a look and fond farewell to the beaver now headed back to its habitat.

Let’s hope it has learned it’s lesson about straying away from home.

All’s well that ends well.