74 



2R()e ^ttcr in ^erfrgsJjnx 



By the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, M.A., M.B.O.U. 



j|ROBABLY few people are aware that the otter, which 

 was considered a scarce animal forty years ago, is 

 now not uncommon in a part of our county. No 

 doubt its nocturnal habits and shyness tend to make 

 it appear scarcer than it really is. The headquarters of these 

 animals may be said to be the river Dove, between Ashburne 

 and Rocester, whence they make their way up to Alstonfield and 

 down to the Trent. Here, since 1898, none have been killed, 

 and in consequence there has been a decided increase in their 

 numbers, but on the upper Dove they are still relentlessly trapped 

 and shot, nine having been killed within a space of three years. 



Mr. Andrew informs me that early in May of the present 

 year, two were taken on the river Goyt, at Waterside, near New 

 Mills, and sent to Belle Vue Gardens, Manchester. The 

 presence of these animals in such an unlikely spot (for the 

 Goyt is much polluted at this point) is interesting as showing 

 the wandering disposition of this species. Probably they were 

 in search of " pastures new," and in time would have moved 

 on to a more congenial home. 



May I put in a plea for the preservation, in limited numbers 

 of course, of this interesting mammal in our fishing rivers ? It 

 is hardly necessary to say that the otter is to a great extent 

 a fish eater, but it does incalculable good to a river by the 

 destruction of the large eels, and by killing off the big cannibal 

 trout.- Grayling and trout certainly flourish on the Dove where 

 the otter is preserved, and it never becomes unduly plentiful. 



