Beaver exhibit opens at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

A nine-month old North American beaver, rescued from the wild after its mother was killed by a trapper in Greenville County, is the newest addition to the Zoo and Nature Center at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Although beavers are common in the wild they are rarely seen because they often live in remote areas and are usually nocturnal, Chris Smith, Magnolia’s zoo curator, said. The baby beaver arrived at Magnolia last month.

Keeper of the Wild, a wildlife rehabilitation center in St. George, gave the baby beaver a home after it was orphaned at about four weeks old. The beaver’s mother was killed after a property owner in Greenville County hired a trapper to capture beavers that built a dam across a stream on his property.

Janet Kinser, founder and director of Keeper of the Wild, said, "One of the goals of Keeper of the Wild is to educate people on how to co-exist with nature and remain sensitive to the needs of both people and animals. It is important for people who find orphaned animals to take them to qualified wildlife rehabilitators who can offer a proper diet to the animals."

The beaver’s sex has not been determined because it is so young, Kinser said. She calls the beaver “Bev.” It was fed a special formula along with various types of vegetation similar to what its parents would have provided.

Smith said beavers, the largest rodents in North America, can weigh as much as 70 pounds. Beavers are vegetarians, feeding primarily on bark, leaves and vegetation. The animal is well known for its engineering skills. They can construct dams and lodges from tree limbs and sticks across streams, sometimes to the dismay of property owners.

Magnolia is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome to stay on the grounds until dusk. For information about Magnolia’s zoo and its other attractions call 832-571-1266 or visit www.magnoliaplantation.com.