One of the Scottish-bound beavers
One of the 17 beavers due to be re-introduced in the Knapdale Forest in Argyll later this year has made a bid for freedom from his temporary home in Devon. The 40kg male European beaver escaped from his quarantine enclosure after a flood enabled him to swim over the electric fence.
The beaver is now believed to have moved at least 20 miles and crossed the county boundary into Cornwall. He was originally joined in his escapade by two females who were captured fairly quickly. Attempts will be made to trap the male in the next few weeks.
The beaver family is destined to be properly released into the wild in Knapdale forest in April 2009 as part of a trial re-introduction programme.