Nibi The Beaver Will Officially Stay In Captivity, Governor Says

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 after Governor Maura Healey issued a permit Thursday designating her as an educational beaver.

"Nibi has captured the hearts of people in Massachusetts and around the country — including mine," Healey wrote, adding that she will "inspire folks to protect our natural world."

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 Friday to fight for Nibi's right to stay at the center, but then came news of Healey's permit, which staff received while doing a Zoom interview for the TODAY Show.

"This was never just about a beaver," Newhouse wrote on Facebook. "People from many different political, cultural and religious affiliations all came together to rally in unison for this animal."

A staff member continued, in part: "I believe the innocence of animals speaks to all of us in many ways. This was about speaking for a creature who could not speak for herself. This was about righting a wrong. This was humanity at its finest and I appreciate all of you with all my heart and soul."

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 when it was declared a "victory."

"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 worked 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.

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

"Beyond grateful," the rescue center wrote. "Thank you from Newhouse and Nibi."