MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — Meet Timber, an orphaned baby beaver, at Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Hamilton Township near Stroudsburg.
"Timber was found by a couple from Landsale while they were out, I believe, canoeing or kayaking, and Timber basically just walked right up to them," said Kat Schuster, main beaver handler.
For a while, Timber has been the only baby beaver at the center, but now they're welcoming another baby beaver named Darla all the way from Massachusetts, where she was being cared for at the New House Wildlife Rescue.
"Them having each other will definitely help the chances of a successful rehabilitation and help with the less of a chance of habituation, less of a chance of them getting used to people," said Jane Newhouse, Newhouse Wildlife Center Massachusetts.
Pocono Wildlife Center had just three days to get everything prepared for her arrival.
"So, we said, Frank, can you build something quick," said Kat. And Frank, the property manager, sure did.
Prior to this, there was no beaver pen at all. Timber is still too young to swim on her own and is usually always at her handler's side.
"In the next couple of weeks, what we're going to do still is put cement board on top and hydraulic cement coating so it's absolutely waterproof and no wood will be exposed because they like to chew on it, but they're still very small so at this time it is not a concern," said Frank Menyhart, Property Manager.
But the effort to ensure these beavers have everything they need for a successful rehabilitation doesn't stop there.
"We will be building, and we need all the support for the outside building of a giant pond where they can dive and build, and you know, stay for the 2-year duration," explained Kat.
Timber and Darla will stay at the Pocono Wildlife Center until they can be released in about two years.
To find more information on the Pocono Wildlife Center, click here.