Devon beaver is run over by a car
A WILD beaver is believed to have become the first to be killed by a car in Britain.
The Devon Wildlife Trust confirmed the animal had been run over after venturing on to the road during floods.
The body of the adult female was found near Langford Bridge, close to the River Otter in East Devon, where a pioneering monitoring project is being carried out.
The trust’s Steve Hussey said: ‘It’s sad news. Beavers like to stick to water or close to water, but they will cross land and roads within their territories.
‘Recent heavy rains and high river levels may have meant that this beaver chose a land route rather than battle against the force of the river.’
The animal was part of the River Otter Beaver Trial – a five-year study into the impact of what is believed to be the first wild breeding population of beavers in England since the 17th century.
Mr Hussey added: ‘The beaver was an individual that we had caught and tagged when she was a youngster near Ottery St Mary in 2015.
‘She was in good health and weighed just over 21kg (46lbs). Her health and good condition is a positive sign for the wider population of East Devon beavers.’
There are estimated to be between 25 and 30 beavers on the River Otter.
The animals were native to Britain until the 17th century, when they were hunted to the point of extinction for their fur and scent glands.
Their existence remained secret until footage captured by amateur wildlife cameraman Tom Buckley in February 2014 confirmed that breeding beavers still existed in the wild.