WILLARD (AP) – Five beavers contaminated in a March diesel fuel spill in Utah are being released into the wild Tuesday.
The state Division of Wildlife Resources and Wildlife Rehabilitation Center are releasing the beavers Tuesday morning on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains.
Wildlife officials recovered the animals in March when a Chevron pipeline failed and leaked about 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
The beavers were burned by petroleum and suffered respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, but a beaver dam is credited with holding back much of the fuel from drifting into Willard Bay in Box Elder County.
A sixth beaver underwent surgery to remove a toe that was injured while in captivity. That animal is still recovering and is expected to be released in two weeks.