Beryl and Bertie to beaver away after names chosen

Two beavers released into a Shropshire nature reserve this year have been named, after local school children submitted ideas.

The Eurasian beavers were released at the Old River Bed in Shrewsbury in February, reintroducing the animals to the area for the first time in 400 years.

The pair have now been named Beryl and Bertie, after Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) and Shrewsbury Town Council launched a contest last month.

The winning entry came from Year 2 at Coleham Primary School, and beat other suggestions as Nutmeg and Acorn and Charlie and Darwin.

A shortlist of the names suggested by schoolchildren was released earlier this month and the public were asked to vote for their final choice.

Nutmeg and Acorn were suggested by pupils at Meole Brace Primary School, and Charlie and Darwin came from Longnor CofE and Clive CofE primaries.

The beavers were transported to Shropshire from Scotland, and their release into the nature reserve is one of a number of recent projects in enclosed areas in the UK.

It is hoped Beryl and Bertie will help to maintain the Old River Bed nature reserve, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

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