“I’ve seen a few white mammals in my life and a number of birds that are partially white, but to see a beaver especially, an animal that I spent 20 years working on, it was just a real thrill,” Runtz said.

The Canadian Museum of Nature has only one white beaver pelt, which is more than 100 years old, in its entire collection.

“Think about all the millions of beavers that were trapped in the early fur trade. A white beaver would have been noticed and would have probably been prized,” Runtz said. He recalled a report five years ago of a brief spotting of a white beaver in Nova Scotia. It was not seen again.

The rarity of this beaver is part of its appeal, and Jackson hopes to keep its habitat secret.

“If the word got out where this animal is, you can imagine the hordes of photographers t

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