“Working night shift definitely comes with its interesting experiences …”
A Surprise on the Night Shift
While on routine patrol in Evesham Township, New Jersey, police officer Ian Traver saw something in the road that made him slow to a stop — not knowing it would become the highlight of his shift.
“I was patrolling a residential neighborhood around 4 a.m., driving slowly, when I saw movement near the curb,” Traver told The Dodo.
At first, he thought it was a skunk and even backed up his patrol car to avoid getting sprayed.
But it wasn’t a skunk at all.
A Very Unusual Pedestrian
When Traver shined his light, he saw a large, fluffy animal step off the curb and into the crosswalk — dragging a long branch behind it.
“I quickly noticed it was much bigger than a skunk,” Traver said. “Once I got a good look, I knew immediately it was a beaver.”
The beaver calmly crossed the street as if it knew exactly where it was going.
Just Another Day at Work
While most people were asleep, this beaver was clearly on a mission. Beavers are nocturnal animals, and Traver believes the furry worker was likely gathering materials to build a dam in the nearby woods.
“I was so excited to witness him hard at work,” Traver said. “The fact that he used the crosswalk was the cherry on top. It made the moment unforgettable.”
A Night to Remember
After safely crossing, the beaver disappeared into the darkness, and Traver continued on with his patrol. But the moment stayed with him.
“Working the night shift definitely comes with interesting experiences,” he said. “But crossing paths with that beaver at the perfect moment truly made my night.”
Sometimes, even routine patrols come with a little wildlife magic.