The Comeback
(2010)
Subject: otter Dimensions (inches): 8 x 12 Medium: Oil on linen Description: Otters were my first love in wildlife. I was privileged to see them quite regularly on a small lake I frequented. Then one sad afternoon my friend and I found an old disused eel net, inside rattled with lots of bones. We counted out 7 skulls belonging to adult and juvenile otters. I was devastated.
The good news is that after 5 years we are starting to see the otters return. In February this year there were 2 cubs and an adult milling around the garden beside the lake. It is wonderful to see them return to healthy numbers again. This incident shows the importance of responsible fishing; fishing wire and hooks should always be removed and eel nets should always be fitted with an otter guard. Otter guards can be obtained free of charge from the NIEA wildlife officer. (Tel: 028 9025 1477) Otter : Species of concern Body length: 120 cm approx
