By admin This embedded content is not available in your region.
“They must be otters because I saw them. I even chased one around the garden.”
Nige Cooper loves animals. From the rescued fish in his garden pond to the visiting otters who have to continue wandering in search of food.
And the chihuahuas he trained to act as an early warning system.
He is one of many pond owners in Ulverston, Cumbria, who are looking for humane ways to protect their fish from the hungry mammals, which conservationists say are being forced to hunt in urban areas due to human-caused environmental changes.
Nige has trained his two chihuahuas to “look at the pond and bark like crazy” if guests visit (NIGE COOPER)
Nige Cooper’s garden has a 15-foot pond where he loves sturgeon, goldfish and rescued koi, as well as dragonflies, bats and birds flitting above the water.
But now he watches over it for other reasons.
Nige is on high alert for otters, which he said have crept into his garden several times looking for a midnight snack.
“We installed electric fences, lighting with motion sensors, left peppercorns and installed closed-circuit television,” said the 61-year-old.
“I even trained my chihuahuas to look at the pond and bark like crazy when they come.”
Experts say otters may have to swim further inland in search of food (JONNY GIOS)
Nige says he “loves otters to bits,” so he has gone to great lengths to safely deter them from catching his fish.
“We could put chicken wire over the pond, but it looks unattractive and would deter creatures such as dragonflies and bats.
“We are lucky that only about eight of our fish were eaten and most of my fish were saved or given away.
“Other people eat thousands of pounds worth of fish.”
Several Ulverston fish owners were targeted (NIGE COOPER)
Together with his friend, Nige records raids on ponds in his area.
“There have been approximately 41 cases recorded in Ulverston over the last six months,” he said.
“There’s a guy nearby who raised baby fish 25 years ago and the next morning all that was left was fish carcasses… they destroyed everything.
“I also once talked to a lady who burst into tears because she lost 20 fish she had had for about 15 years.”
He explained that his research has a broader purpose: “I just want pond owners to make sure they use the right deterrence methods.
“It’s great to see otters, but my question is: why do they come to urban areas looking for food?”
South Cumbria Rivers Trust says pollution and habitat loss are increasing the risk of otter raids (ROBERT WIGHT)
Ulverston lies on the River Leven and is home to a canal and several embankments.
The South Cumbria Rivers Trust (SCRT) said pollution and habitat loss were linked to declines in native fish numbers, increasing the risk of otters preying on captive populations.
“The Ulverston catchment, like many others, has been modified by human activity over many years,” said Hannah Teagle, SCRT project officer.
“There are many redundant structures, some of which are impassable to fish and other aquatic species.”
There are many modified waterways around Ulverston (GOOGLE)
The trust said it was working with partners and landowners to improve water quality.
He added that he was introducing practical interventions such as eel passages on weirs, clearing and reducing runoff from agricultural land, creating buffer strips and planting trees.
Dr Paul Yoxon of the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) said: ‘Otters do not kill for fun and are only concerned with eating.
“People say that otters are entering ponds mainly because there are more of them – there is no evidence that their numbers are actually increasing.”
The IOSF points to a decline in eel numbers of over 90% in some areas, and Dr Yoxon adds: ‘Rather than an actual increase in otter numbers, it is more likely that they have had to expand their range to obtain the food they need. “
The Environment Agency said there was “no evidence to suggest that poor water quality is prompting them to fish from garden ponds at Ulverston”.
“However, eels are currently classed as Critically Endangered and we are taking a number of actions to protect and support their populations across Cumbria,” the spokeswoman said.
“This includes removing barriers to upstream migration by improving the design of eel fish passages in our rivers, removing artificial barriers such as weirs, and conducting research into all life stages of the European eel to inform conservation measures.”
Nige said he will continue to protect his pond and otters (NIGE COOPER)
Back in Ulverston, Nige said he was “doing everything I could” to protect both his pond and the otters, but was concerned something might happen to them.
For now, he and his hardworking dogs can only hope that the otters will return to the waterways and their habitat will improve.
Keep following BBC Cumbria X, Facebook, Neighbor AND Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].
Related web links