It's a good thing this little critter ran into these compassionate commuters – the city is a dangerous place for a baby beaver.

The Van Ness Metro station passengers in Washington D.C. found the mammal wandering around the plaza on its own without a mama. The protective crowd kept the beaver from straying, though the adventurous marmot went so far as to crawl onto one of the onlooker's shoe.

Scott Giacoppo, the chief community animal welfare officer with the Washington Humane Society and Washington Animal Rescue League arrived on the scene and teamed up with police officials to gather the baby into a nearby shoe box.

After some deliberation, the beaver was considered old enough to be on its own and was released into a a more rural area of the city near water.

Go Tail All Your Friends About This D.C. Cutie…Click To Share! (Photo: Jonathan Murray)