A dead beaver found washed up on a Cornish beach probably died because of “salt water intoxication” after coming too far downriver towards the sea, a pathology report has found.
Polzeath Beach Ranger Service, which discovered the animal on Sunday, said it was a “juvenile female” in poor condition, with a swollen belly caused by of large amount of liquid.
A spokesperson said: “We’re guessing she came too far down the Camel River and Camel Estuary, not knowing a pushing tide will quickly [make the water salty] some distance past Wadebridge.”
On Sunday, a beach ranger said the beaver was about 2.5ft (76cm) long and had no visible injuries.