Environment Agency officers are appealing for information after an otter was found shot in East Yorkshire.
The body of the adult male was found at Frodingham Beck, near Driffield and was reported to an Environment Agency river bailiff by a member of the public.
The otter had been killed with a shot to the head and his body left by the beck, but a post-mortem showed that he had been shot before.
The examination showed that on a separate occasion, the 10-kilo otter had survived a gunshot wound to his leg which had become infected.
Environment Agency conservationist Martin Christmas said: “It is unbelievable that anyone should kill one of these beautiful creatures. The otter is a protected species which makes this crime even more appalling.
“Otters are one of our biggest conservation success stories, and a lot of work has been done to encourage the species back to our waterways. It is important that we catch this criminal and we are urging the public to help us.â€
The team say they have no idea who killed the animal, however this is the second time that they have received reports of a dead otter shot in the Driffield area.
On the first occasion, in February, officers went to the site to collect the corpse for a post-mortem but the body had been removed by the time they arrived.
Environment Agency officers then received a second report of a dead otter last month. On this occasion they were able to retrieve the body and send it away for a post-mortem, and the results have just come back.
The Environment Agency has been working with local wildlife trusts and water companies to improve water quality, riverbank habitats and wetlands to help otter populations establish and grow.
The species eat mainly fish and are members of the Mustelid family which includes badgers, polecats, martens, weasels, stoats and mink.
There are 13 known species of otter in the world but the only one found in the UK is the European (or Eurasian) otter.
The Environment Agency has now passed the case on to Humberside Police. Anyone with information should contact Sgt Christopher Hine at Bridlington police station on 01262 458751.
