Mystery over missing fish: could otters be to blame?

Jim Lamb, of Oak Road, Alderholt, has ruled out domestic cats, herons - or even thieves - and is eager to hear from any other locals who have experienced similar circumstances.

Mr Lamb, who has lived at his address for nearly four decades, believes the otters may have covered the two miles over land from the River Stour.

Wildlife experts say otters - which were recorded at Alderholt in 2016 - can cover significant distances over land as the roam their territories.

Mr Lamb told the Echo: "The pond is about one metre deep, and the fish at this time of the year normally lay around the bottom of the pond.

"Had it been a heron, which is the usual culprit, it wouldn't be able to get to them - the fish would be too deep. Also, it would only take about two or three.

"But I had well over 30 fish in the pond, ranging from goldfish - about four inches long - up to two or three Koi Carp, which would have been around 15 inches.

"It would have to be something big enough to actually get into the pond and fast enough to be able to swim around and catch all these fish."

Mr Lamb, who has has had a pond in his garden for 10 years, first noticed they were missing at the start of the recent cold snap, around a fortnight ago.

"There is absolutely no trace of anything," he said. "I would have expected to have found some scales or a part eaten fish, but there is nothing at all.

"It is thought there were never any fish there in the first place."

Dorset Wildlife Trust communications officer Sally Welborne confirmed otters had been recorded at Alderholt two years ago. "So we know they are in the area," she added.

"If an otter were taking the fish, you'd expect to see remains on the bank, flattened vegetation on pond banks, otter prints on any bare soil and spraints (droppings) in the vicinity.

"Other animals who may take the fish are mink or herons.

"The best thing to do is to observe silently in the early morning to try and get a clear view of activity on the pond."