Caught in the act — escaped Camperdown Wildlife Centre otter trapped hunting for fish in local garden
An otter has been captured in the garden of a Dundee home only days after around £2,000 worth of prize carp was ravaged.
The trapped otter. Below: Colin Westwood beside the pond containing what is left of his prized fish.
- By Craig Smith
- Published in the Courier : 25.01.12
- Published online : 25.01.12 @ 02.45pm
Eight or nine ornamental koi carp belonging to Downfield man Colin Westwood (59) were killed, with just bones, scales and parts of a tail left in the deep garden pond.
On Tuesday, Mr Westwood told The Courier he was relieved to have finally captured the animal he believes is responsible for the attacks.
It has been confirmed the fully grown male otter had escaped from Camperdown Wildlife Centre.
Mr Westwood said: ''A local gamekeeper set up a trap right by the side of the pond and we called him as soon as we saw that the animal was in the cage.''
Last September husband and wife Pam and Joe Leggeat, from Muirhead, lost almost 30 fish from their pond. This was also put down to an otter.
The couple believed the animal had escaped from nearby Camperdown Wildlife Centre.
At the time Leisure and Culture Dundee distanced itself from any claims the otter belonged to them, but a spokesman admitted yesterday: ''After a number of checks we can confirm that our otter has been recaptured and is back at Camperdown Wildlife Centre safe and well.''
Add a comment