Plymouth's beavers need names
The city council has launched a competition for school children
Plymouth school pupils are being invited to name the city's new beavers.
The pair are happily building dams in the Bircham Valley after being relocated from Scotland.
They share a huge, specially-built rewilding enclosure at Poole Farm, and are settling down nicely together.
Their arrival is all part of the Green Minds project, which will re-wild urban parks, gardens and verges and help people to connect with their local green spaces and boost wildlife.
Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet member for street scene and the environment said:
"We have been blown away by how much love there is for these lovely creatures and we know people have been clamouring to name them. So that's what we are doing.
"There is a serious side to naming Mr and Mrs Beaver. We want our schools and students to get to know all about the beavers, why they are so important and create wetland habitat that's great for other wildlife.
"We want our young people to get excited as we are about the nature on their door step and how they can feel part of it. I can't wait to see what they come up with.
"We've got an epic prize - whoever has the winning names will get to visit the beavers with the rest of their class - when COVID-19 restrictions allow - plus a jar of yummy Poole Farm honey."
The Council has put together a package of educational resources, activities and games covering a wide range of curriculum topics - both school and home learning.
Schools are being sent an invitation to the get involved in the competition but can still sign up for a resource pack and competition details http://eepurl.com/gUpl01
Entries have to be submitted by class by 19 March. A panel will shortlist the entries.
On 22 March voting begins on the Poole Farm Facebook page www.facebook.com/PooleFarmPlymouth
The votes closes on 31 March, when the winners will be announced