Something special is happening at the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s beaver husbandry facility in Ridgefield, Washington. Today, we are sharing a rare beaver kit feeding video highlight from the official baby beaver live cam. This footage captures the four kits born on April 16, 2026, as they nurse and grow rapidly in preparation for their eventual return to the wild.
A rare look as a mother beaver (ɬə́qʼƛʼk) feeds her four healthy kits on the Cowlitz Beaver Kit Cam. Video recorded by Arctic Warbler on youtube.
Highlights From This Beaver Kit Feeding Video
- Action: Mother beaver nursing and grooming all four kits.
- Location: Official Cowlitz Tribe Husbandry Facility, Washington.
- Timeline: Kits are now 4 weeks old and showing increased activity.
The Importance of Nursing and Feeding for Beaver Kits
Feeding is a critical time for these newborn North American beavers. In their first five weeks of life, kits rely entirely on their mother’s milk to gain the weight and strength necessary for survival. As they grow, they will begin to transition to the fresh willow and cattails provided daily by the Cowlitz Natural Resources Department staff.
Beaver Relocation: Restoring Washington’s Ecosystems
This family represents the heart of the Tribe’s beaver relocation program. By ensuring these kits are healthy and well-fed in a protected environment, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe is bolstering the future of “ecosystem engineers” in Southwest Washington. Once the kits are old enough, they will be released into the Cascade Mountains, where they will create wetlands that support salmon, birds, and improved water quality.
These “wide bellies” (ɬə́qʼƛʼk) are part of the largest beaver relocation program in Washington State. According to the Cowlitz Natural Resources Department, these first five weeks are critical. The kits are currently developing the waterproofing oils in their fur that will allow them to dive and evade predators once they are released into the Lewis River drainage area later this month.
Quick Facts: The Cowlitz Beaver Kits
- Birth Date: April 16, 2026
- Status: Healthy and gaining weight
- Next Phase: Relocation to the Cascade Mountains (Late May 2026)
- Goal: Restoring wetland biodiversity and drought resilience in Southwest Washington.
A Legacy of Cultural Stewardship
“As Cowlitz people, we have always understood our responsibility to care for the land,” says Cowlitz Indian Tribe Chairman Bill Iyall. [1] This program restores balance to ancestral waterways by returning these “ecosystem engineers” to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
You can follow the family’s journey in real-time. Visit our Live Baby Beaver Cam page to see more action like this beaver kit feeding video 24/7.
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