New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park Zoo welcomes baby beavers

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford announced Monday that several beaver kits were recently welcomed to the world.

BPZOO officials said three American beavers were born on May 16 to first-time parents eight-year-old female Wicket and six-year-old male Justin.

The kits have already begun exploring their outdoor habitat, according to officials, who said one of the babies first tested their swimming skills at just fourteen days old.

One beaver kit at Buttonwood Zoo began swimming at just 14 days old. (BPZOO)

“All three beaver kits are growing at a fast and steady rate,” Veterinarian Dr. Emmy Budas said in a statement. “It has been such a joy seeing Wicket and Justin be so caring and attentive to their kits.”

Buttonwood Zoo provided the following information about beavers:

“Acting as nature’s engineers, beavers are known for their extraordinary ability to transform their surroundings through activities such as dam building using sticks, mud, and stones. These dams create ponds and wetlands that support diverse ecosystems, serving as crucial habitats for fish, amphibians, birds, and many plant species, promoting biodiversity. The dams also play a critical role in maintaining water levels in streams and rivers. By trapping sediments and improving water quality, beaver dams contribute to healthier aquatic environments. The wetlands they create also act as carbon sinks, aiding in climate change mitigation. These industrious engineers are known to alter their environment the most compared to any other organism on Earth – except for humans.”

Zoo staff said guests may be able to witness these dam-building behaviors when visiting Wicket, Justin, and the three new kits this summer.

The sex of each kit will be determined at a later date, as it will require an x-ray, officials said.