Further theft of materials and a fork lift truck at Notts Wildlife Trust site

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 further theft which resulted in materials being taken, along with a forklift truck.

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.

•  First theft details here > Notts Wildlife Trust team left distraught after theft of fencing materials delays construction of beaver enclosure

- Advertisement -

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 sight 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.”

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 31 August) or  0159 02092021 (1 September).

Anyone wishing to make a donation should visit nottinghamshirewildlife.org/beavers