Temperature sensor severed by rodents?

Canandaigua Lake Chapter of Trout Unlimited installed a Mayfly unit in August this year.  On October 28th our unit flatlined and no temperature dat was being reported. Upon inspection the cable to the temperature sensor was severed.  The unit was in a section that was knee3 deep even though the flow on the Cohocton River is very low (37 CFS).  Has anyone experience such a problem with either beavers or musk rats(see attached picture)?  If so, does anyone have any suggestions on preventing a reoccurrence once we replace the temperature sensor?  Note that we would not like to think that this was due to an act of malicious vandalism.

Ralph Rothfelder – Conservation Chairman – Canandaigua Lake Trout Unlimited