Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, October 17, 1995                   TAG: 9510170099
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: FAIRFAX                                LENGTH: Short

NO MORE OF THAT GNAWING FEELING

Known as Mr. Beaver to neighbors whose trees he felled, the rodent became a celebrity of sorts after county park officials ordered him trapped and put to death. They were responding to complaints that the animal had become too aggressive and was causing too much damage to trees.

An uproar ensued among animal lovers, and Gov. George Allen commuted the beaver's death sentence. But now the animal cannot be found.

Sightings were reported throughout the county but none was verified, and the troubles in the neighborhood around his watery digs have abated.

Claude E. Larouche, whose house is closest to the beaver's favorite creek, offered this theory:

``He's a pretty old guy. I would guess he went to a retirement home down south.''

- Associated Press