Dead beaver found on Cornish beach

Beach ranger Andy Stewart said the beaver was about 2.5ft (76cm) long

A dead beaver has been found on a Cornish beach.

The Polzeath Beach Ranger Service said it was alerted to the animal at about 08:00 BST on Sunday by a member of the public.

Beach ranger Andy Stewart said the beaver was about 2.5ft (76cm) long and had no visible injuries.

He added the animal had been collected by Cornwall Wildlife Trust for a post-mortem examination.

Mr Stewart said: "We wouldn't normally section a part of the beach off unless it was particularly big or disruptive to whatever was going on.

"Even though people look at strandings with concern, it's also really educational, the cycle of life and marine habitats.

"So we would normally leave a stranding area open but with this one, because it was so rare, I took a big bag down, put it in the bag and brought it up to the office as quickly as I could."

Mr Stewart added the condition of the beaver made it "absolutely perfect for a post-mortem".

Polzeath Beach Rangers reminded the public and their pets to stay away from any marine strandings, alive or dead

"Firstly we called Cornwall Wildlife Trust because the Marine Strandings Network would usually come out for marine wildlife - that would be seal, dolphins, porpoises, whales," he said.

"The beaver doesn't really fall into their remit. However, they are very interested in this.

"My assumption is that it was floating in the water when rigor mortis set in and that's why its head is high and it looks so alive and alert, but I'm no expert."

Polzeath Beach Rangers reminded the public and their pets to stay away from any marine strandings, alive or dead.

"Sometimes it's better to leave things alone and either let nature take its course or let the experts get involved," it added.