'Remarkably Rotund' Beaver Is Chicago's Latest Celebrity

CHICAGO — A very large beaver who frequents the banks of the Chicago River has become a local celebrity.

The enormous rodent “lives, eats, and knocks down trees in Pilsen, Bridgeport, and McKinley Park,” according to conservation nonprofit Urban Rivers, which posted a callout on Reddit asking users what the big beaver should be named.

“She's gotten especially large the last few weeks, probably due to pregnancy, but she's been remarkably rotund for longer than a beaver pregnancy lasts,” the post from Urban Rivers on the r/Chicago subreddit said.

“She's the largest, and obviously therefore most deserving of a name, but so far we haven't come up with one. She seems real tough, if that helps you find a name that fits. The spots she hangs out at are absolutely filled with coyotes, and we can't figure out how she hasn't been eaten.”

Urban River’s trail cameras have captured the beaver regularly over the past year, including tromping through the snow Feb. 12. Sometimes she is alone but she also appears with a smaller companion.

Many Redditors suggested name ideas, including several paying homage to Chicago icons and landmarks, such as Lori Heavyfoot, Sufjan Beavens and Dam Ryan. Another user suggested Southside Large Marge.