First wild beaver killed by car in England 'was forced out of river by flash flood'

The first wild beaver reported to be run over and killed by a car in England may have been forced on to the roads by flash flooding.

Experts believe the four year-old female ventured out of its natural habitat when water levels rose on the River Otter in East Devon last week.

She was part of a community of wild beavers which was first spotted in 2013 - at a time when they were thought to have been extinct for 400 years.

The mammals are touted as a secret weapon in the battle against climate change because their dams can act as a natural flood defence.

Wild beavers were reintroduced in Cornwall last summer to relieve flooding in Ladock and a similar project is due to start in the Forest of Dean this year.

However the Devon beavers are thought to have escaped from captivity in 2005 and the river is so deep that the beavers have so far only started to build dams on smaller tributaries.

"Recent heavy rains and high river levels may have meant that this beaver chose a land route rather than battle against the force of the river," said Steve Hussey of Devon Wildlife Trust.

Mr Hussey said flooding was common in the area: "The river is quite short and the waters rise and fall very quickly."

The good news is that the beaver's sad death under the wheels of a car - like those of many other animals - is a sign that they are flourishing.

"Drive around the roads of Devon and you will see a series of flattened species including badgers and rabbits," said Mr Hussey.

"Ironically it is a reflection of the wonderful life out there.

"Wildlife will cross roads and they are not very good at it.

"At this time you see an increase (in the number of roadkill) because you are seeing young inexperienced animals out and about.

"The wild beaver is very vulnerable to being hit by a car."

Mr Hussey said he was not aware of any other wild beavers being killed on the roads in Devon, adding: 'It may well be the first in England."

The dead mammal was found by a member of the public on a bank by the side of the road not far from the waterway in Langford Bridge near Honiton.

She was tagged by the charity when she was a youngster in 2015 and was in a good condition, weighing more than 21kg.

Wild beavers normally live to around 12 to 14 years of age. They were hunted to extinction for their fur, meat and scent glands.

Scotland has had wild beavers since 2009 when they were reintroduced as part of a conservation project and several die on the roads every year.

"Beaver, like other species, do occasionally get killed on roads, but equally, many beaver families live alongside major roads for years and are not affected," said Karen Taylor of Scottish National Heritage.

There are plans to return wild beavers to Wales later this year.