I saw a beaver on TikTok last Saturday. Within 24 hours I saw what I believe to be the offspring of a mated pair, in a very worrisome, central location here in Bakersfield. (Did you know beavers mate for life!!)
A flurry of activity ensued within 48 hours of my sighting. I spoke with a Restoration Science Ecologist, a hydrogeologist, a marketing & communications specialist, an out of state beaver restoration advocate, two city workers, and I filed a report with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Today I did an interview with KGET because in 2007 CDFW issued the city of Bakersfield a kill permit for the Bike Path Beavers. Community outcry saved their lives in 2007 and we need to do the same today!
In 2022 California’s “Beaver Bill” (AB 2196) was passed to “work with tribes, NGOs, private landowners, and others to implement coexistence and other beaver-assisted restoration projects to promote habitat restoration and climate change resiliency.”
I don’t know about you, but I fall into the category of “others” and I’m hoping to help these city beavers live in a safe environment. I’m not sure exactly what that will look like, and to be honest, that’s above my pay grade.
I’m just one girl, who was on a mission to see a beaver in the wild, and have somehow ended up being an advocate.
