A beaver found washed up on a Kent beach is ‘back to enjoying eating and grooming’ as it recovers at a wildlife centre.
The animal was discovered at Sandwich Bay in east Kent after venturing out of its natural freshwater habitat and going for a swim in the sea.
It’s thought the male beaver got in trouble after swallowing the salty water.
He was rescued by British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) and taken to RSPCA Mallydams Wood in East Sussex.
The wildlife centre shared footage of him in his enclosure and said he was ‘back to enjoying eating and grooming’.
Centre manager Peter Smith said: ‘It’s quite common for beavers to get into difficulty at this time of year – the youngsters leave their family lodge and start exploring, but unfortunately some go for a swim in the sea and get into difficulty, and sadly many lose their lives.
‘We have had four reported to us this week and sadly one had already died.’
Mr Smith was in the team that first reintroduced beavers back to England in 2002 at the Ham Fen project in Kent.
He added: ‘This poor chap was found washed up on a beach in East Kent by BDMLR rescuers and they brought him here to recuperate.
‘After washing all the salt out of the beaver’s fur and giving them a bath, the beaver started to feel better.
‘With lots of nutritious food including fresh willow, apples and carrots, the beaver has recovered.’
The beaver is recovering in a lodge made out of straw bales to keep him safe and warm before the shelter will be transformed with sticks from the woodland.
The beaver, who is being monitored by cameras, will be returned to the wild once given the OK by vets.
Last year, beavers returned to west London for the first time in 400 years following the release of a family of five in Ealing.
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