Adorable baby beaver delights commuters at D.C. Metro station

WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- A baby beaver became the toast of the beltway this week when it surprised commuters with a visit to a D.C. Metro station.

Witness Jonathan Murray captured video Wednesday of the young animal wandering around the Van Ness Metro station, being stroked by passers-by and crawling {link:onto a young bystander's shoe. : "https://twitter.com/Adamalthus/status/727961126877712385" target="_blank"} "It was clearly attracted to the fountains and trying to get a drink of water," Murray told DCist.

Scott Giacoppo, the chief community animal welfare officer with the Washington Humane Society and Washington Animal Rescue League, said humane officers arrived at the station to find the beaver had found its way into the fountain.

Giacoppo said the young beaver was examined and determined to be old enough to strike out on its own. The beaver was released into a more habitable location.

He cautioned that residents shouldn't follow the example of the people seen on video touching the juvenile beaver.

"I strongly encourage people when they see a wild animal, never handle them, just leave them be," Giacoppo told WTOP-TV.

Murray, who lives near the station, said beaver sightings are extremely rare.

"There's plenty of wildlife around here, like deer in the backyard," he said. "But I've never seen a beaver alive in the street. This is my first time seeing one in the flesh."