'Bucky' beaver was caught by authorities Sunday RELATED VIDEO CNN's Kathleen Koch gets the scoop on beaver caper Windows Media 28K 80K

April 11, 1999
Web posted at: 5:00 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT)

In this story: Suspect tracked, trapped Crime family at work? RELATED STORIES, SITES

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Another suspect wanted for destroying part of a popular Washington tourist attraction was in custody Sunday, two days after an alleged accomplice was captured -- and set free -- by the National Park Service.

The charge? Destroying nine trees, some of them flowering cherry trees that form a magnificent canopy of dusty pink blooms every spring at the capital's Tidal Basin, the body of water between the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument. A total of 1,600 cherry trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, attract thousands of tourists annually.

The pair of wood chompers -- there could be more -- are suspected of reducing four of the prized cherry trees to ugly stumps at the peak of the blossom season.

But such a crime comes naturally -- for beavers.

Suspect tracked, trapped

On Friday, the Park Service snared the first suspect, affectionately dubbed "Becky," after tracking her to a drainage pipe.

Washington's cherry trees may be safer since the two beavers have been removed from the vicinity

A suitcase-shaped trap was partially submerged in the Tidal Basin so that the captured animal would not drown.

"It was a wonderful catch," said Park Ranger Julia Long. "They did a great job. No injury to the animal."

Despite numerous offers to adopt Becky, the beaver was taken to an undisclosed location where the Park Service said she can now chew to her heart's content.

While in custody, sources told CNN, Becky declined to reveal the hiding place of her partner in crime, who was given the name Bucky.

Crime family at work?

Becky's efforts to protect her partner failed.

Bucky was trapped -- also humanely -- on Sunday morning. The young male beaver seemed not to mind being caught.

He was "pretty mellow," said John Adcock, who witnessed the capture.

Yet another beaver was spotted in the area, raising the possibility that a crime family was at work in the Tidal Basin.

Until all suspects are accounted for, tempting wooden targets are being wrapped with corrugated plastic. The protection also includes wire mesh for trees already hit.

But while some people at the National Cherry Blossom Festival rooted for the trees -- "Save a cherry tree, adopt a beaver," read a sign carried in the festival parade -- others sided with the beavers.

Let them "do their thing," said one woman. "Maybe just plant a few more cherry trees."

A male festival-goer commented: "Sometimes, you know, a beaver's got to do what a beaver's got to do."

Correspondent Kathleen Koch and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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