11 July 2007
Four European beavers have been released in an enclosure today (Wednesday 11 July) at Martin Mere.
It is believed the Eurasian Beaver became extinct in Britain in the 1500s and by the end of the 1800s only a few hundred beavers remained in Europe. The beaver display at Martin Mere will not only be the only attraction in the North West where visitors can watch beavers in their natural habitat, but the first time they have been resident in Lancashire for 500 years.
Beavers, the world's second largest rodent, are one of nature's engineers excavating canals and building dams and lodges of branch and earth
Entirely vegetarian, the beavers will be fed everyday on root vegetables, leaves and fruit allowing visitors the opportunity to see the creatures over the summer holidays. The feed will be followed by an opportunity for the public to talk to a warden looking after the beavers.
They can be found at a large enclosure next to the Eco-garden and a viewing lodge has been constructed to ensure the animals can not be disturbed whilst being watched.