The beaver enclosure under construction - Photo © Emily Hallam
Further targeted theft of materials
Further targeted theft of materials and equipment vital to beaver reintroduction project leaves Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers shocked and but determined to keep work on track.
Just 24 hours after dealing with the theft of fencing materials being used to create a large secure enclosure for beavers at its Idle Valley Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has faced dealing with an audacious further theft which resulted in a small amount of additional materials being taken, along with a forklift truck belonging to the charity’s contractors.
The project team had been determined to keep the fencing work on track and stashed a small number of rolls of fencing wire deep in the large and remote nature reserve so that work could continue today. Overnight thieves returned to the site and stole the netting, taking the total lost to 2km of fencing, with a replacement value of around £10,000 – plus the value of the forklift essential for moving the heavy materials.
Speaking about the further theft Head of Communications Erin McDaid said: “Whilst shocked by the original theft the team were determined to carry on with the job to ensure that we can welcome our beavers as planned. Every effort was made to ensure the materials were well out of site, but it now seems clear that the team were being closely observed on site which is both upsetting and disturbing. The audacity of returning the night after a major theft to take more materials and a piece of essential machinery is shocking.”
Every effort was made to ensure the materials were well out of site, but it now seems clear that the team were being closely observed on site which is both upsetting and disturbing.Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
The Trust is now working with police to try and recover the stolen items but is determined to keep the project on track.
Clearly the work will now be delayed, and the site will need to be cleared each day. This will take much more time and will inevitably lead to further construction costs as time is money. However, we’re determined to welcome our beavers as soon as we can. People have very generously supported our Bringing Back Beavers Appeal so far and we hope, given that significant additional costs will be incurred even if we recover the materials, that people who’ve not already backed us will consider making a donation at this challenging time.
The Trust is urging anyone that has any information about the theft or is aware of anyone trying to sell a large quantity of fencing mesh locally, including the special otter fencing and horse mesh, in suspicious circumstances to contact the police by dialling 101, quoting crime numbers 0179 01092021 (for 31st August) or 0159 02092021 (1st September).
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Yesterdays initial news article about the first theft can be read here.
This incident comes at a crucial time in our preparations for the arrival of the beavers and we are doing everything we can to keep the fencing project on track. The disruption and extra work the theft has caused means we’ll inevitably need to find many thousands of pounds in extra funds. The backing for our Bringing Back Beavers Appeal has been very generous to date but we hope that people feel able to support us at this challenging time.