Bellingham police detain beaver blocking road north of town; second suspect remains at large
Bellingham police detained one beaver and another is at large following reports of the pair blocking traffic on Aldrich Road north of Bellingham.
The beaver suspect was taken into protective custody the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 29. Regarding the escaped susptect, authorities recommend people treat it as a wild animal if found — do not touch it or pick it up.
Police responded to the scene and confirmed the beaver to be “substantial” in size. It appeared to be injured, according to Megan Peters with the Bellingham Police Department. The other beaver fled the scene at (relatively) high speeds when police arrived, according to Peters.
Peters said people reported the beavers out of concern for their safety.
Officers directed traffic around the suspect, and the Whatcom Humane Society and Washington Fish and Wildlife were contacted. Before backup could arrive, the other beaver made its escape into the thick brush near the road.
One of the beavers was later found around 7 p.m., having made it to Telegraph Road. The responding officer determined the beaver to not be an immediate threat after giving it a “gentle boot tap,” Peters said.
The officer picked up the beaver and secured it in his vehicle, then drove it to wildlife managers. The beaver was taken to the Department of Fish and Wildlife without incident. Washington law permits the relocation of beavers by wildlife officials under certain conditions.
It is unclear whether the beavers will be charged with resisting arrest and attempting to elude a police vehicle. It is also unclear which beaver was captured, as a positive ID could not be established by police at the earlier incident, Peters told The Herald. No injuries have been reported.
Anyone who spots a problem beaver is asked to report the sighting to the police department’s non-emergency line at 360-676-6911, or the Whatcom Humane Society at 360-733-2080.
This story was originally published March 5, 2024 at 3:00 PM.
.jpg)