Wildlife spotted in unusual areas as flood waters push creatures out of homes

It wasa sight photographer Sylvie Sabourinnever expected to see.

She was out capturing the raging Ottawa River on Sunday afternoon, when suddenly she came across an injured beaver.

I could see his back leg was almost completely turned around.-SylvieSabourin

It was lying on a path,just a stone's throw from the violent waters nearChaudireFalls.

"At first it's like disbelief," said Sabourin. "It's like, "Whoa, a beaver!'

"I could see his back leg was almost completely turned around. Obviously something was very wrong with it."

Wildlife showing up in unusual spots

All sorts of animals deer, beavers, groundhogs, and birds are turning up in unusual spots. Wildlife experts say the flood waters destroyedanimals ecosystems, which has pushed themout of their homes.

They are warning the public to be patient and carefulif they cross paths with an animal in a strange location.

Sabourindoesn't know how the beaverbecame injured, but her theory is that the animal could have been washed away from where he was living, tumbled into the river, and managed to get itself out.

"I'm used to observing that kind of animal in a completely different context than beside a raging river," said Sabourin."It's usually more like a wetland or marshy area. I was like, 'How did he get there?'"

RCMP guard beaver, until help arrives

Sabourin called for help. Two RCMP officers were nearby surveying the river.

What happened next doesn't get anymore Canadian.

One of the RCMP officers stood guard over the beaver until the National Capital Commission arrived, said Sabourin.

NCC conservation officers took the injured animal to aveterinarian where it slept overnight.

The NCCtold Sabourinon Friday that the beaver was droppedoff at the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.

Groundhog dies

Wildlife experts say you can expect many more stories like this over the coming weeks.

CBC spotted a groundhog on the steps of the DpanneurSt-FranoisinGatineau. The store was surrounded by water, so the groundhog had nowhere to go.

Days later, there are reports it has died.

Other CBC reporters caught on tape several deer roaming around drenchedfieldsnear LacLeamy, whichraisesquestions about whether their woodland homes were destroyed.

'Be a little patient'

The president of theOttawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre,DonnaDuBreuil, saidresidents near flood zones can expect animals to show up in places like their backyards. She's asking the public to be extra tolerant of wildlife inunexpected places.

"This is thebirthing season for all species," said DuBreuil, which often brings animals closer to people and farther away from their predators.

Aquatic mammals like beavers and birds are particularly likely to be impacted, according to DuBreuil. Many birds nest in areas where the flooding took over, and their eggs and goslings may have been washed away bythe flooding.

DuBreuilwanted to remind"people to just be a little bit patient and understanding that wildlife has been affected by this flooding as well."

As for Sabourin, she plans to keep checking in to see how the beaver she helped rescue is doing. She said it was heartwarming to seeonlookers and authorities pull together to help out the injured animal.

"I find this really nice and full of hope," she said.