It started when Steve Peters and his son noticed something unusual while driving near the Morden dam — a beaver stuck in the Morden Dam at Lake Minnewasta, cut off from the main waterway and showing no signs of finding its way out. Peters posted on social media, hoping someone might know what to do.
Michelle Budz, longtime animal advocate and co-owner of Town & Country Grooming in Morden, saw the post and immediately wanted to help. She’s no stranger to animal rescues and quickly connected with Peters. Together, they formed a plan.
But they weren’t the only ones stepping in. Rhonda Friesen and her daughter got involved too — bringing various methods to try to access the tricky channel near the dam.
A careful operation
Peters had already brought a live trap to encourage the beaver out, but it wasn’t working. That’s when Garett Suderman carefully climbed down with a tarp and rope, gently herding the exhausted animal toward safety. Budz says everyone had one goal — to protect both the beaver and the people helping.
After a tense few moments, the beaver was finally guided towards the creek, where it slowly climbed out onto the rocks. It paused, then looked back toward its rescuers. For Peters, Budz, Suderman, and Friesen, it felt like a silent “thank you.”
Checking in the next day
The next day, Budz and her husband walked along the creek at the Morden golf course and spotted signs the beaver had made it — a freshly gnawed tree near the water’s edge. Proof that sometimes, a few people and a little compassion can make a big difference.
With files from Robyn Wiebe