I’VE GNAW IDEA HOW I GOT HERE
Mystery as animal team is called to rescue roaming rodent from beach
A lonely beaver was found wandering on a beach at least 60 miles away from home.
It was found on Machrihanish beach near Campbeltown, Kintyre, last Friday, leading to a multi-agency rescue.
Coastguard teams, police and inspectors descended on the west coast beauty spot concerned for the animal’s welfare before it was eventually captured.
Officials from the Scottish SPCA are now working to establish where the beaver came from.
Early indications suggest he may have ventured 57 miles south from Knapdale Scottish Beaver Trail in Lochgilphead.
SSPCA officials have taken to social media to share a series of images of the beaver and its capture at the idyllic spot.
In a statement, they wrote: “It’s not often we get called to the beach for a beaver but this beautiful soul lost their way and was very distressed when our team arrived.
“With help from the local police, coastguard and our inspectors we were able to rescue and then relocate to the closest beaver colony.”
The beaver is now in the care of the Scottish SPCA at its National Wildlife Rescue Centre.
Staff said it was in “good condition, behaving well and eating”.
Officials are working in tandem with the Beaver Trust to establish its colony.
Meanwhile, plans are under way to release the beaver back into the wild.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A local officer attended to assist the Coastguard who had been called regarding the beaver being in distress. He was happy to assist and that the beaver is safe and healthy.”
Robert Houston, Campbeltown Coastguard Station manager, said that although Coastguard teams often work in support of the SSPCA, this is Campbeltown’s first beaver rescue.
He added: “We would encourage members of the public to report anything suspicious or unusual on the coast to the Coastguard.
“If anyone finds an injured animal on the coast, we would urge caution, as a bite from an otter, seal, beaver etc can cause serious injury.”
Beavers died out in Scotland about 400 years ago but were reintroduced in 2009.
Those already here include animals reintroduced under licence, and others illegally released at rivers and lochs.
Legislation was introduced by the Scottish Government in 2019 to make beavers a protected species, meaning it is illegal to kill or disturb them.
This beautiful soul was very distressed sspca After beaver beach rescue effort