Judge Signs Order Prohibiting Nibi The Beaver's Release Into The Wild

CHELMSFORD, MA — Nibi, the domesticated beaver who gained viral fame this week after state officials ordered her immediate release, will remain at her home at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue — at least for now.

Newhouse Wildlife Rescue announced on Facebook Monday that Nibi, who was raised in captivity, was "officially denied Nibi as an educational beaver" and that MassWildlife wanted her released as soon as possible.

Staff from the rescue center were supposed to appear in Lowell Superior Court Wednesday to fight for Nibi's right to stay at the center, Newhouse said in an update. However, the appearance was canceled, and Superior Court Judge Cathleen Campbell signed an order prohibiting Nibi's removal until there is a full hearing and further order from the court, which is now set to take place Friday.

Meanwhile, a Change.org petition started on Nibi's behalf to prevent her forced removal from the "care of the well-respected and crucial" rescue center had nearly 30,000 signatures as of Thursday morning.

"Nibi was raised under human care and forcing her into the wild could put her at serious risk, a risk we consider not only unnecessary, but also potentially disastrous," reads the petition's description. "There is precedent in this kind of situation. According to Defenders of Wildlife, beavers born or raised in captivity, like Nibi, are often unable to survive in the wild."

In preparation for the court case, staff at Newhouse are working to gather statements from beaver specialists who can back up their professional opinion that Nibi has a better shot at surviving and thriving in captivity than she does in the wild.

"We are looking for people with credentials that the state government and courts will likely take more seriously," Newhouse staff wrote. "Biologists, licensed wildlife rehabbers, researchers, scientists, etc who SPECIALIZE in or have significant experience with beavers ... We would like your take on the Nibi situation."

They added: "We would also like to hear what your advice to the state or courts regarding this situation would be."

Nibi already has a handful of important voices who agree that she belongs at Newhouse. According to the rescue center, since her story was first shared, they have been contacted by "all the news outlets, multiple state reps, multiple lawyers, wildlife rehabbers from all over the country, animal control officers, and more, all showing support and all asking what they can do to help."

Among the supporters of Nibi's continued stay at the center are State representatives Colleen Garry, James Arciero, Simon Cataldo, Marc Lombardo, and Senator Barry Finegold, according to Newhouse.

And it seems that Nibi can feel the love.

"Nibi was extra sweet this morning, when she first woke up," Newhouse wrote Wednesday morning. " I want to let you all know how much I appreciate you and how much your support has meant to us. We couldn’t have come this far without you."