In 1948, Idaho had a beaver problem.

In certain locations, the state's beavers were carrying out vital tasks as agents of flood control and soil conservation. But in some areas, the rodents were outgrowing their natural habitats, gradually invading human territory and, frankly, being a general nuisance.

What to do? Resettlement was the obvious answer — taking beavers from the very inhabited parts of the state and relocating them in new homes in the Idaho wilderness.

The trouble was getting the beavers to the wilderness. (Unsurprisingly, the wilderness didn't have roads.)



Idaho Fish and Game Department (IFGD) employee Elmo W. Heter had an idea: beaver air drops. The IFGD bought themselves some government war surplus parachutes and hammered together wooden boxes to house the beavers.

The beavers, being, well, beavers, swiftly gnawed through the first willow-woven boxes. That was fine upon landing, but not so good mid-air or pre-drop (picture a pilot with a bunch of escaped angry beavers over their shoulder).

The final boxes were sturdy and beaver-proof, spring-loaded to open on landing.

In the fall of 1948, 76 "parabeavers" were dropped, of which 75 survived.