Beaversprite: My Years Building an Animal Sanctuary

by Dorothy Richards, Hope Sawyer Buyukmihci

Book by Dorothy Richards

Genres: Nonfiction, Natural History

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel torn on this book.

On the one hand, it includes a lot of interesting and amusing anecdotes about beavers, which I found endearing.

On the other, once the author begins keeping beavers in her basement to "study" them, I just felt weird about it. Richards isn't stupid. She knows that a captive beaver will not behave the same as one in the wild, and says as much. So of what value does she consider her observations of the behavior of her "house beavers"? Clearly she loved them and did the best she could by them, but I just found myself feeling sad for these beavers who could never leave the confines of her house.

Then again, this was a different time, when beavers had nearly been eradicated from New York State, and I imagine Richards felt sometimes like confining the beavers was the only foolproof way of keeping them from being trapped and killed. From that perspective, I empathize with and appreciate her compassion. I also think that her observations of their human-like behavior and intelligence may convince some people of the beavers' "personhood," and to that end, I think she was successful.

However, as I said before, how accurate are the observations of the captive beavers? And of what value are they to people who want to learn more about beaver behavior? Probably not much. But to convince somebody that beavers are awesome, intelligent creatures? To show people the importance of conservationism? This book is great.

Anyway. That's my ambivalent review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a dichotomy for me with this book in that it's fun to read and the adventures of the beavers, both outside and in, are engaging, but it's also disturbing to realize that at some point keeping beavers in a house for the sake of "study" was considered good environmental/ecological work. Richards goes out of her way - really almost destroying her home - to accommodate the beavers she takes in but, as we know now, nothing she did could possibly replicate the preferred environment of the creatures.

I learned a lot about the animals and I absolutely pined for the kind of land that Richards purchases to create Beaversprite (and am glad to know it still exists thanks to the Utica Zoo).

Although the writing is basic, Richards does a good job making you understand her world and the differences in the beavers' personalities.

Richards husband doesn't come off as that great a guy but I guess when your house is overrun in wild animals you might tend to be a bit surly.

I don't know if it can recommend it - it needs a certain kind of reader - but I enjoyed it.

[Smol Panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book because I lived near Beaversprite. Because of Beaversprite my partner is obsessed with beavers now and tells me all about them. It's a cute (true) story and I'm glad I read it.

[Julie Dujardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book. My husband & I read it out loud to each other. It's so heartwarming and has shown us how to observe beavers patiently. We realized how smart and endearing they really are. Made me wonder what wildlife sanctuary can I create?
I highly recommend for those who love learning about nature and it relates to us.

[Joan54 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This true and interesting story is about a woman named Dorothy who lived with Beavers for almost half of her life. It takes a certain person, a little eccentric maybe, to turn their home over to raising beavers. She sacrificed a lot for them but I think she thoroughly enjoyed them and treated them like her children. According to Dorothy these animals had almost humanlike feelings and emotions. I think the fact that she fed them by hand and was their main source of food made them truly bond to her.
I don’t think she would be able to get away with keeping beavers today as times have changed since she wrote this book. I am a little torn with the idea of keeping beavers captive but when this book was written times were different.
Overall I enjoyed this book and the story Dorothy told about her amazing life with beavers. A truly one of a kind.

[Jenny Dohner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much, because I'm an animal lover and feel there is much more to them than many give credit. Yet, as endearing as it was and as much as I'd have loved to snuggle beavers, I don't think (as many have also mentioned in their reviews) it was right to keep beavers captive. Also as others have mentioned, this took place maybe before this was known? I feel, though, that the author knew, deep down as she wrote of conflictin̈g feelings on more than one occasion. The difference in thought is my belief in God and beavers as part of His creation. We should admire, appreciate, and respect creation without interfering. of course that leads to the whole discussion of hunting, consevation, etc.... This was a sweet and educational read.

[Bethany · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simply horrifying from the current wildlife perspective.

The author, though well-intentioned, did nothing good for a whole slew of beavers over thirty years, besides possibly scare would-be hunters away. And it can probably be said that she sorta-kinda-not-really-but-I-dunno educated kids about beavers.

What I can say is that she was an absolute pro when it came to anthropomorphism.

Oy.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. But I am a bit biased... my mother took me to visit Mrs. Richards in the mid 1970s. Even though I was only 8 years old it left a lasting impression on me. I can easily picture how large the beavers seemed to me. On a trip to the area I looked it up to see if it was still standing but discovered it is gone. (no wonder considering the job a flooded basement and live in beavers do to a house.) It was during this Google search I found the book.

[Richard Hesslein · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of beaver encounters not normally known and perhaps not to be promoted but yet revealing incredible insights!

[Sally]

Noticed in the classroom at Sam's school.