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CHICAGO (WGN) From Chance the Snapper to piping plovers Monty and Rose, Chicagoans love to name animals. But a new furry friend captivating the city online is without one.
Environmental nonprofit Urban Rivers hopes to change that.
The organization is seeking the public’s help in naming the South Side semiaquatic rodent that has gone viral on social media. The unnamed beaver lives along the Chicago River.
Sammie Clark, beaver researcher with Urban Rivers, joined affiliate WGN to discuss the contest and the uptick of beaver sightings. Though many suspect the beaver to be pregnant, Clark insists that researchers are unsure if the rodent is male or female.
“Seeing this individual looking so plump, especially this time of year, gives us hope that it could be the female pregnant again,” Clark said.
“Beaver juveniles stay with their parents for up to two years,” Clark told WGN’s Ray Cortopassi. “And we have been seeing a number of different beavers of various sizes here, so yes, it’s been exciting to watch.”
While Urban River’s official research began last September, Clark says the nonprofit has seen various beaver sightings since 2022. But is the population growing? It’s a little too early to say, Clark added.
“They are breeding in the area, and we hope to see more of that this year. Hopefully, in about a year or so, we’ll have some published information for people to follow along with,” she said.
As for the naming contest, some unique, Chicago-centric names are already catching on, such as “Dam Ryan” and “Sigourney Beaver.”‘ Still, Clark asks anyone interested to share their beaver names on Urban River’s social media pages and other digital platforms.
“This has been posted by Stephen Meyer from Urban River on Reddit, and a lot of people are weighing in,” Clark said.
The nonprofit is also considering names for any baby beavers, known as kits, that may be born in the future.
Watch the entire interview in the video player above.