Search on for runaway beaver seen taking dip in River Adur
The Knepp Estate is appealing for his safe return
Last updated 14th Dec 2020
West Sussex wildlife teams are appearing for the safe return of a beaver who left his new home and was spotted swimming in the River Adur.
Nicknamed Bramber, he was one of two released into the wild at the Knepp Estate near Horsham in mid-November.
It's the first time the creatures have been introduced to the wild in the county in 400 years.
Those at the estate had been hoping to keep the news quiet ahead of an official announcement in the spring - but Bramber, the male of the pair, had other ideas.
He was able to leave the terrain at the estate and was found splashing in the water just north of Lancing last week.
That's even though the animals' extensive and abundant terrain at Knepp has been reinforced with fencing, electric wire and grilles at strategic points to prevent them heading downstream.
Now both the Estate and the Sussex Wildlife Trust are calling for the animal to be retrieved and returned.
Sir Charles Burrell of the Knepp Estate said:
"Beavers are very good at existing under the radar in the slower, deeper parts of catchments, and we’re anticipating that he’s found a quiet part of the Adur, probably in an area that contains plenty of willow.
"We’re keen to retrieve him from where he’s currently living and bring him back home to Knepp, where a mate awaits him.”
Henri Brocklebank, Director of Conservation at Sussex Wildlife Trust, said:
“We are asking local people to play a role in getting this beaver back to Knepp.
"Although free-living beavers are a great ambition for Sussex in the future, the Knepp release is licensed, so Bramber needs to be retrieved”.
If you see what you think could be a beaver on the Adur or any of its streams, please let Knepp Estate know. Do not try and approach it or disturb it. A beaver is a wild animal and will be collected by a professional team that will return it to Knepp.
If you do spot any potential feeding signs (or even Bramber himself), please email penny@knepp.co.uk with the following information:
Your name and contact details:
Location name and description:
Grid reference, nearest postcode or ‘what three words’:
Date and time of beaver sighting or feeding signs found:
What you saw:
Please include photo/video of beaver or feeding signs if possible.