‘A great moment.’ Treated after oil spill, these beavers are back in their Sacramento pond

Three beavers returned to their home in a pond in North Natomas after spending weeks in rehabilitation after a diesel fuel spill.

Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response and the UC Davis’ Oiled Wildlife Care Network opened up three blanketed crates and allowed the beavers to creep out on their own.

The three, all females, headed directly to the pond at Tanzanite Community Park and dove in without hesitation.

“To see them off swimming is a great moment,” said Greg McGowan, branch director at Fish and Wildlife.

Six beavers were rescued from the park after a generator malfunction caused the leak, covering the beavers with oil that interferes with their fur’s ability to insulate their bodies.

They were captured at the pond over a series of days and taken to a care facility where they were cleaned and washed and then transferred to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue for rehabilitation.

Two beavers are still being treated and will be released soon. One beaver died.

This story was originally published December 17, 2022 at 8:00 AM with the headline "‘A great moment.’ Treated after oil spill, these beavers are back in their Sacramento pond."