Permission granted to allow Nibi the beaver to stay with a wildlife rescue group in Massachusetts

CHELMSFORD — Gov. Maura Healey has issued a special permit allowing a beaver to stay at a wildlife facility in Massachusetts after MassWildlife said it needed to be released into the wild.

The beaver, named Nibihas captured the hearts of many people in Massachusetts and across the country. She was found orphaned in Sturbridge two years ago by Newhouse Wildlife Rescue and has been caring for her ever since.

MassWildlife initially said Nibi needed to be returned to the wild, and Newhouse disagreed, saying Nibi would die and she should stay with the rescue as a teaching animal. A judge issued an order Tuesday temporarily blocking MassWildlife from taking the beaver.

“Nibi has captured the hearts of many of our residents, including mine,” Healey said in a statement. “We are pleased to announce that we have granted Nibi permission to remain in Newhouse’s care and continue to educate the public about this important species. “I’m grateful for our state’s dedicated wildlife biologists who work every day to protect Massachusetts’ wildlife, and I hope Nibi inspires more people to protect our natural world.”

A Change.org petition calling for Nibi to stay with Newhouse received more than 30,000 signatures.