The Unlikely Rescue Story

Tulip's journey began when a construction crew found her as a tiny orphan. She crawled up to a worker's foot and simply wouldn't leave. The kind worker contacted the North Mississippi Mammal Rehabilitation Center, knowing the baby beaver needed help.

At just a few weeks old, Tulip needed special care. Beavers don't become self-sufficient until they're about two years old. The center took her in, but faced a big problem - they had no other beavers. Without beaver friends, Tulip wasn't adjusting well to her new life.

A Health Scare and a New Home

Things got worse when Tulip developed pneumonia. Her future looked dim, but the team refused to give up. They reached out to other rescue centers in the area, looking for help.

Woodside Wildlife Rescue stepped in to help find a solution. They connected Tulip with Holly Muraco, a home rehabber who already had two baby beavers in her care - Tater and Turnip.

Since May, Holly has given Tulip everything she needs. She even taught Tulip how to swim, a skill the young beaver missed learning from her parents.

Tiny T-Shirts to the Rescue

Tulip faced another challenge when her weakened immune system led to a skin infection. Holly came up with a creative solution - a wardrobe of tiny t-shirts for the little beaver!

These shirts serve multiple purposes. They help Tulip's medication ointment absorb properly without getting rubbed off. They also stop her from scratching and hurting her sensitive skin.

Recovery and New Life

Tulip has proven herself a fighter. She's beaten her infection, though she still wears her shirts sometimes. The shirts now serve as padding for the extra-sensitive nerves on her back.

Currently, Tulip enjoys spending time with Holly while building up strength. The hope is that soon she'll be strong enough to spend more time with her beaver siblings.

One of Tulip's favorite activities shows her dedication to her fans. She personally inspects every tulip plush toy before they're sent out to her many admirers across the country.

Tulip's story reminds us that with the right care and a bit of creativity, even the smallest orphaned animals can overcome big challenges.