SIR – You have written many stories over the years to celebrate the success of reinstating the otter population in our county.

They are now reestablished after years of being kept away by chemicals in rivers. But I read a story in the Worcester News (April 4) about them being an “absolute economic disaster” because they eat fish. Mirror carp ( a mutant variety of common carp) cost up to £1,500 to replace, says a member of Whitbourne Angling and Associates.

So, it seems that African animals’ waste and mutant carp are more economically valuable than wildlife as members of the angling club have been spraying a protective concoction, which includes lion’s dung, around its pools to ward off otters and mink by making them believe a large predator is lurking nearby.

Aren’t you sending mixed messages on otter conservation?

GERRY TAGGART
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