Wild beaver spotted at Norfolk nature reserve for first time in centuries

A beaver has been spotted living at a nature reserve in Norfork.

The animal was seen at Pensthorpe Natural Park near the town of Fakenham.

It's thought to be the first wild beaver recorded in the county for centuries.

Beavers became extinct in the UK in the 1500s because of hunting but scientists have been reintroducing them to parts of the UK over the last decade.

Staff at the nature reserve said that although they do not know where the beaver came from, they were delighted to see him living in their habitat.

Reserve manager Richard Spowage explained: "The fact that it has chosen our land to establish a territory reflects the ongoing work we have been doing to improve our river and surrounding land for nature."

"Wetlands are some of the most threatened habitats in the UK."

Beavers are known for their engineering skills which they use to help protect their homes - called lodges.

They're able to do this as they have strong teeth and jaws which are very useful tools when it comes to building dams.

The rodents build dams to create deeper pools of water attached to rivers or streams to help them get around.

The dams also help other wildlife like frogs, insects and otters and can be very useful for humans too.