RIVER-KEEPERS are hoping an innovative mink-catching scheme could be about to coax the first otter family back to the banks of the River Wye in over two centuries.
Haddon Estate river-keeper Jan Hobot moved to the area three years ago and was shocked to find no otters and very few water voles on the river.
Otters have suffered since the 1800s due to declining water quality and persecution and Jan noticed tel
l-tale signs of American Mink, which have caused havoc with Britain's river eco-systems since escaping captivity in the 1950s.
So he designed ten floating tunnel traps – dubbed 'mink magnets' – which he has been using since 2006 to catch mink, which he then quickly shoots.
Jan said: "I guessed these 'aliens' were eating the food meant for otters and adding our water voles to their diet.
"Over the past three years, I have caught over 20 mink, most I suspect coming up the Derwent from Matlock and Darley.
"Otters haven't been seen on the Wye for well over 200 years so it was very exciting to round a bend on the riverbank in the summer and see before me a huge dog otter, chewing on a trout."
Jan has since enjoyed following this otter's tracks along the riverbank and was delighted to spot a second set of smaller otter tracks this autumn.
He said: "We think one is male and one is female, so we're just really hopeful now that there could be pups on the way in spring.
"The future looks bright now for otters and water voles here."
