Newark wildlife group Operation Otter tracking otter which broke into gardens and ate pond fish

Last month the Advertiser reported on a greedy otter that had found it’s way into a residential fish pond in Balderton and caused havoc by eating all of the owner’s goldfish and leaving a large Koi dead on the patio.

Stephen Joynes is part of a Newark based volunteer wildlife group called Operation Otter and believes he knows the identity of the culprit, who may be a repeat offender.

He said: “The one in question was kicked out of its territory, came up the middle beck and ended up in Balderton Lake.

“Last summer it raided a pond after it got into a lady’s garden and ate all of her goldfish, but she caught it all on a security camera.

“It has since moved to another location off London Road with three other otters that we have been monitoring.

“If you put temptation in an animal’s way you can’t blame them, you need to secure the pond or ask for advice.

“We’re always here to offer advice if the public think an otter is visiting their garden.”

Together, Stephen and other members are currently tracking the movements of nine otters in and around Newark.

They set up wildlife trail camera in hidden locations they believe otters frequent in order to take photos and record their comings and goings.

Stephen spoke about why the otters are important to the local environmental balance.

“People talk about otters eating fish, but many species of birds like Herons and Egrets do too.”

“We constantly monitor the environment that we find the animals in and look at their diet.

“We found that from the Trent they’re only eating 20% fish, the rest is crayfish and snails.

“Crayfish are invasive and eat a lot of fish eats, so you get less fish in the rivers.

“Having these mammals back in the river system keeps invasive species population down.

“It brings back a natural balance to the river system and is important for biodiversity.”

The volunteer group keeps a record of all types of flora and fauna, not just otters.

Further information about Operation Otter can be found on the Clean Rivers Trust website.