Published on January 2, 2024, 1:07 am

In an unusual turn of events, Saint Francis Hospital in Bartlett, Tennessee experienced a very different kind of Christmas surprise. The hospital’s usual tranquility was disrupted by an unexpected visitor; not Santa Claus, but rather what the Bartlett Police Department has tagged as a “wayward beaver.” While the world continues to experience several concerning events, it appears we now have mischievous beavers to add to the list.

The surprising incident was documented on video and shared on Instagram by the Bartlett Police Department. The call to action came from an operator at Saint Francis Hospital after they received information about an animal in the facility. “You guys asked for the body cam footage from the St. Francis Beaver Wranglers so… ask and ye shall receive,” shared the police department through their Instagram post, which included excerpts from 911 audio.

The hospital worker who reported this unanticipated event sought help in handling this unusual situation. They said, “[A nurse] wanted me to call animal control because there is a beaver in the lobby of the hospital.” Indeed, handling unruly rodents might not ordinarily fall within police officers’ day-to-day duties.

Considering potential accusations relating to excessive force use against such unique suspects, body cam coverage of this astonishing encounter was made public. Viewers will indeed notice how local law enforcement navigated this unfamiliar scenario with care and due diligence.

The thought-provoking question that arises despite these comic proceedings however is – what possible motive could draw a large aquatic rodent such as a beaver into venturing into a human healthcare institution? Given its unanticipated visitation though, quick intervention by Bartlett PD ensured that any likely havoc planned by our furry interloper was promptly nipped in the bud.

While this instance ends with ‘gnawt’ big problems arising thanks to quick thinking law enforcement officials, speculations suggest perhaps there are more elements at play here than meets  the eye. Periodic surveillance of these aquatic creatures could be helpful in mitigating any potential future unwelcome interventions.

This intriguing event has sparked theories among observers who interpret the beaver’s unexpected visit as an exploratory mission aimed at understanding human protective measures in place against such breaches.

The incident at Saint Francis Hospital ended with the apprehension of our rodent wrongdoer. After a brief period of capture and interrogation, it was relocated to a nearby stream – thus restoring normality to an otherwise irregular day at the Bartlett hospital.

As we move forward, finding new ways to co-exist with nature seems paramount. Yet, it appears that even in times when we are inundated with severe global events and news, Mother Nature always has a wildcard up her sleeve, proving once again that reality is often stranger than fiction.