She immediately snuggled into their arms.
What began as a relaxing family tubing trip down the Cowichan River in British Columbia, Canada, turned into an unforgettable rescue mission when the Belanger family spotted — and saved — a struggling baby beaver.
Liz Belanger and her family were enjoying the sunshine and gentle rapids when the peaceful afternoon was interrupted by unusual cries coming from the water.
“My 16-year-old son, Connor, floated through the same little rapids soon after me and heard the same sound, then saw the beaver kit struggling in the water,” Belanger told The Dodo.
A Tender Rescue
Without hesitation, Connor scooped up the helpless kit, refusing to let go for nearly an hour. His protective instincts kicked in immediately, as though he already understood how fragile the animal’s life was in that moment.
The family cradled the tiny beaver for almost four hours, keeping her warm and safe until they could reach the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association (NIWRA) for help.
“Each time she opened her eyes over the next four hours or so … she just calmly snuggled back into us,” Belanger recalled. “She was even making little nursing motions and sounds when she was cuddled up in my lap as I drove her to the centre. She was absolutely the most adorable little creature ever!”
Baby Beaver Timber’s Condition
Wildlife staff later named the kit Timber and confirmed that the Belangers’ actions had almost certainly saved her life.
“She arrived cold, dehydrated and completely exhausted,” said Joanna Smith from NIWRA. “At that age, she would have still been entirely dependent on her mother, making her survival in the wild highly unlikely without intervention.”
At only about a week old, Timber faced critical odds. But her personality quickly shone through. “She’s incredibly determined, confident and curious,” Smith said. “Even at such a young age, Timber has a strong presence and a clear will to survive.”
What’s Next for Timber
In the wild, beaver kits normally stay with their mothers for over a year while learning essential skills like swimming, dam building, and foraging. Because Timber lost her mom too soon, she’ll remain under NIWRA’s expert care until she’s strong, healthy, and independent enough to return to the wild.
When the time is right, rescuers plan to release her near the same spot where the Belangers discovered her — giving her the chance to thrive in the river she nearly lost her life in.
A Life-Saving Encounter
For the Belanger family, what started as a summer tubing trip turned into a once-in-a-lifetime experience of compassion and courage. For Timber, it meant the difference between life and death.
“Without them, she wouldn’t have survived,” Smith emphasized.
Thanks to one family’s quick thinking and kindness, Timber’s story is now one of hope, resilience, and a second chance at life in the wild.