Otters Invade Home Garden and Devour Koi Fish, Causing £7,000 in Damage.
Otters raiding a pond for Koi fish. (Video: SWNS)
Kieran McCarthy, a retired teacher living near the River Severn in Worcester, suffered £7,000 in losses after losing 106 Koi fish from his garden pond in just five days, as reported by Sun on October 31. He had previously suspected that otters were the culprits after discovering the carcass of a fish discarded by the pond.
McCarthy spent £140 to install a steel mesh barrier around the pond. However, the otters still found a way to sneak in. “I can’t believe I encountered otters in such a residential area. I used a flashlight to scare them away, but one night, it looked me straight in the eye and continued its actions,” he said.
McCarthy plans to give up his hobby of fishkeeping and look for another pastime. “I’ve kept fish for 25 years but have never experienced anything like this. The otters continuously find ways to sneak in; they are very clever. You can’t relocate otters because they are a protected species. But if you keep fish, they will be killing machines. I don’t blame the otters; they are part of nature. But I can’t go through this again and spend so much money,” McCarthy shared.
Kieran McCarthy and his Koi pond. (Photo: SWNS)
Koi fish are an expensive breed, with some individuals worth up to £2,500. They are known for their unique patterns and scales, making them easily recognizable. Koi are commonly bred in Japan. In 2016, Japan exported up to 295 tons of Koi fish, generating over £28 million.
Meanwhile, in the UK, otters are protected by law. They were nearly extinct in the country during the 1960s due to pesticide use. They are gradually returning thanks to cleaner water, better fish stocks, and positive changes in riverbank management.
