Ida Beav Wells
 Ida Beav Wells caught on a trail cam | |
| Species | North American beaver |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Residence | Bubbly Creek, Chicago |
Ida Beav Wells is a North American beaver that lives in the Southwest Side of Chicago, Illinois near Bubbly Creek. The name was the result of a naming competition held by Urban Rivers.[1] She is particularly known for her "remarkably rotund" appearance.[2][3] After going viral online, her name was selected through a public contest.[1] Her presence is considered a positive indicator of the improving health of the Chicago River.[4]
Discovery and public attention
[edit]The beaver was first observed in the South Branch of the Chicago River in the Bridgeport neighborhood on the city's South Side. Local nonprofit Urban Rivers captured video of the beaver on a trail camera and posted the video to Reddit.[5] She quickly gained viral fame online, where she was affectionately described as a "massive beaver" and "remarkably rotund."[6] This large size led to public speculation that she might be pregnant.[7]
Naming contest
[edit]
After the beaver became a local phenomenon, a contest was launched to officially name her. On March 13, 2025, the winning name was announced as Ida Beav Wells.[8] The name is a pun honoring the historic Chicago journalist, activist, and civil rights leader Ida B. Wells. The two runner up names, Chewy Garcia, and Plumpton Sinclair, were assigned to her children.[1]
Habitat
[edit]
Ida Beav Wells's home is in Bubbly Creek, a fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River. The presence of wildlife like beavers in this specific waterway is significant, as Bubbly Creek was once infamous for severe water pollution by local industrial waste as well as sewage overflow from increased rainfall.[9] The waterway has since undergone cleanup efforts, and the ability of a beaver to thrive there is seen as an encouraging sign of the river's ecological recovery.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Miller, Violet; Hernandez, Cindy (2025-03-13). "Bubbly Creek's famed 'rotund' beaver has a new name — Ida Beav Wells". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ↑ Caramela, Sammi (2025-02-23). "'Remarkably Rotund' Beaver Is a Chicago Celebrity—and Needs a Name". VICE. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- 1 2 Carroll, Jenna (2025-02-18). "Massive beaver found on Chicago's South Side needs a name: 'Remarkably rotund'". FOX 32 Chicago. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ↑ "Winning name announced for big Chicago beaver spotted on Southwest Side". ABC7 Chicago. 2025-03-13. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ↑ "'Remarkably rotund:' Large Chicago River beaver goes viral -- and she needs a name". NBC Chicago. 2025-02-19. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ↑ Caramela, Sammi (2025-02-23). "'Remarkably Rotund' Beaver Is a Chicago Celebrity—and Needs a Name". VICE. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ↑ "Meet Ida Beav Wells, the "remarkably rotund" beaver spotted along the Chicago River - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. 2025-03-13. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ↑ Yassine, Mack Liederman, Leen (2025-03-13). "Meet Ida Beav Wells, Chicago's 'Remarkably Rotund' Beaver". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "How Water Pollution from Chicago's Infamous Factory Farm Got Cleaned Up At Bubbly Creek". 2025-08-04. Retrieved 2025-09-18.