9 May 2006 Another disgusting otter snare story

Today we had a call out for an injured otter in Broadford Bay.  It had first been seen on the public footpath to the pier but then went down to the beach.  We tried  to catch it with the help of our local Countryside Ranger, John Philips, but once it reached the water it swam out to sea towards the Dunnolie Hotel.  We drove  round and the staff and management of the hotel helped as it came ashore and we managed to catch it in a cage. 

The wound is terrible - a large laceration in the neck with a snare embedded in it.  I have never seen anything quite this bad.  We immediately took it to the Broadford vet clinic and Alan Syme stopped what he was doing to attend to it immediately.  He anaesthetised it, removed the snare and then cleaned and dressed the wound.

Alan cutting off the snare

Bandaged but a long way to go

The poor animal is now at our hospital, where it is being cared for.  Fortunately it is eating well and sleeping a lot, which is a good thing as it reduces the stress of captivity and the pain.  It is still early days to know if it will recover but we will do all we can. 

This is a horrendous injury to a rare and protected species.  We would ask you to email or write to the organisation below telling them that snares should be banned.  They are cruel for all animals and also target any species and not just the one they were set for.

PAW Secretariat, Zone 1/14, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6EB.

or email: paw.secretariat@defra.gsi.gov.uk