The Skydiving Beavers: A True Tale

Product Description

Just after World War II, the people of McCall, Idaho, found themselves with a problem on their hands. McCall was a lovely resort community in Idaho’s backcountry with mountain views, a sparkling lake, and plenty of forests. People rushed to build roads and homes there to enjoy the year-round outdoor activities. It was a beautiful place to live. And not just for humans. For centuries, beavers had made the region their home. But what’s good for beavers is not necessarily good for humans, and vice versa. So in a unique conservation effort, in 1948 a team from the Idaho Fish and Game Department decided to relocate the McCall beaver colony. In a daring experiment, the team airdropped seventy-six live beavers to a new location. One beaver, playfully named Geronimo, endured countless practice drops, seeming to enjoy the skydives, and led the way as all the beavers parachuted into their new home. Readers and nature enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy this true story of ingenuity and determination.

CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People

Review

A recounting of a true story that happened in 1948 in McCall, Idaho, when, after the war, people and houses were taking over the beaver s territory. It soon became apparent that beavers and people don t mix well when dammed water flooded roads and land for food became land for houses. Elmo Heter, with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, decided they needed to move the beavers to some open land many miles away. After many ideas and several practice-parachute jumps with a senior beaver, Elmo had a plan. That fall, they successfully moved a beaver colony to an open area. Well-written, well-paced out, and written in a friendly voice, Skydiver is a delight to read. –Susan L. Roberts’s The Book Report in California Kids

About the Author

Susan Wood (formerly writing as Susan VanHecke) first heard of the skydiving beavers from her daughter, who d seen them mentioned on TV. Beavers on parachutes? Susan decided to research. When she learned that Geronimo s story was true, she had to share this amazing tale of people caring for wildlife in such an inventive way. Susan is the author of Esquivel! Space-Age Sound Artist and Under the Freedom Tree. She lives with her family in Virginia.