Photo by Susan Ingham
Fish Creek Provincial Park, a sprawling natural area in Calgary’s south end, has long been a haven for wildlife and a sanctuary for those who seek to connect with it. For Susan, a local nature photographer and dedicated beaver-watcher, it’s a place filled with moments of both heartbreak and hope.
In 2014, Susan witnessed the aftermath of a conibear trap set near a pond in the park. The trap, which lacked any warning signage for walkers or anglers, had caught a beaver by the front paw. Rescuers arrived later that evening, but the animal was gone. The incident stayed with her — a stark reminder of the dangers these animals face, even in protected spaces.
Years later, while setting up for photos with visitors from South Africa, Susan spotted something unusual through a pair of binoculars. A beaver was moving through the water with ease, but something was off. As it turned, they saw it — the animal was missing a front paw, severed just below what would be the elbow.
Photo by Susan Ingham
And yet, the beaver was thriving. They swam with strength, gathered logs with the use of their remaining front limb, and moved confidently through its habitat. Supported by their family group, the beaver remained an active and visible part of the colony.
“Nature is so amazing,” Susan wrote, sharing a photo of the resilient beaver — robust, well-fed, and completely at home.
The experience added another layer to her deep connection with the park and its inhabitants. “Fish Creek Provincial Park is definitely my happy place,” she says. “Despite the tough moments, it’s where I’ve witnessed some truly incredible things.”
In the fall of 2023, Susan watched as beavers worked in broad daylight to expand and reinforce their lodge — an essential project ahead of Calgary’s long winter. It was during one of these visits that she struck up a conversation with a Conservation Officer, who explained that unless beaver activity leads to significant flooding (such as pond overflow onto paved paths), removal isn’t on the table. With pond levellers in place to control water flow, flooding is increasingly unlikely — and the beavers are still there.
Photo by Susan Ingham
In fact, one lodge had three kits in 2024, and Susan is already wondering how many new arrivals might be on the way this year.
She continues to track several lodges throughout the park, from what she affectionately calls a “standalone executive suite” to a unique “multi-family” arrangement: two lodges joined in the middle with a shared mud bridge. “If that lodge gets any bigger,” she joked, “they’ll need to apply for planning permission.”
Photo by Susan Ingham
“Maybe, after all these years, the powers that be are starting to realize beavers deserve to live where they belong,” Susan reflects. “With the right tools and a bit of patience, we really can live alongside them.”
At The Fur-Bearers, we couldn’t agree more. Beavers are ecosystem superheroes — managing water, creating habitat, and increasing biodiversity wherever they go. And their survival depends on all of us choosing coexistence.
