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This otter uses its sharp teeth as it tussles with a fish while hunting on a pond in a park. The Eurasian otter was spotted in Friggate Park in Edinburgh, Scotland. 62 year old Richard Wells said, “This otter was searching for food in a reed bed at the edge of the pond. Over a ten minute period I saw the otter catching three large fish.” “It would have been unheard of to see an otter in a suburban park like this 20 years ago, but it has become a more common sight in recent years as otters make a comeback to the UK.” “Otters retreated to wilder more remote habitats after World War II, with the dramatic decline spanning from the 1950s to 1970s due to rivers becoming polluted with harmful agricultural pesticides.” “Many locals have never seen the otters before but they are frequent winter visitors now due to their stealthy and secretive nature.” Please byline: Richard Wells/Solent News © Richard Wells/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800 *** Local Caption *** When and where were these shots taken? January 2024 in Figgate park, Edinburgh What species of otter and fish are these? Are they common here? Eurasian otter and fish is (probably) a roach, a common freshwater fish Can you describe what is happening in these images? Is this rare to see? The otter is fishing in a reedbed in a pond in a suburban park. Although still not an everyday sight, this would have been unheard of only 20 years ago but has become a more common in recent years as otters make a comeback after retreating to wilder, more remote areas post WW2. The dramatic decline from the 1950s to 1970s was due to rivers becoming polluted with harmful agricultural pesticides. Can you give us an insight into the moments leading up to this as well as directly after? The otter was searching for food in a reedbed adjacent to a boardwalk which bisects the pond. A bow wave under the boardwalk betrayed it's presence. In the course of 10 minutes the otter caught 3 large fish. Some locals have never seen the otters although they are frequent winter visitors due to their stealthy, secretive behaviour. The majority of locals who do see the otters are delighted and surprised both at the otters presence and the apparent healthy stock of fish in the pond (it is also frequented by cormorants, little grebes and goosanders). How were you able to capture these images? Knowledge of when and where the otters will appear helps, as well as what signs to look for that indicate their presence eg ducks retreating to pond edges or moorhens taking refuge on branches overhanging the water. Is there any more information you would like us to include? And finally, what is your preferred full name, age and occupation? Richard Wells, 62, retired building society manager.