BEND, OR -- The High Desert Museum has a new “branch manager.” The baby beaver, known as a “kit,” was found alone in a John Day parking lot back in May, weighing less than a pound and a half. It took most of the summer for the beaver's condition to improve. The kit is now an estimated 17 pounds, thanks to the work of museum veterinary staff.

The beaver is believed to be female, but it can be very difficult to conclusively identify a beaver’s gender. She will eventually become a beaver ambassador for the museum.

“The beaver is doing well and learning behaviors that assist with her care,” says Curator of Wildlife Jon Nelson. “She is learning target training, how to sit on a scale to be weighed and to present her feet for voluntary inspections and nail trims. She also enjoys time playing in the Museum's stream after hours.”

We await the beaver’s name, selected by the winning bidder at last summer’s High Desert Rendezvous fundraiser.