VANCOUVER — An opportunistic otter that is preying on koi in a unique downtown Vancouver garden has eaten at least three more of the large fish and continues to evade efforts to trap and remove it.
The Vancouver Park Board confirms on social media that the otter, which moved into the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden just over a week ago, is still on the loose and several more of the garden’s 14 prized koi have disappeared since Friday.
We continue to try to capture the otter @vangarden. Several more koi were lost over the weekend. Garden staff caught one koi and relocated it to @vancouveraqua and are trying to save the remaining fish. The garden remains closed until further notice. pic.twitter.com/oKiBNhgEgR
— Vancouver Park Board (@ParkBoard) November 25, 2018
It’s now estimated that 10 of the valuable fish, prized for their longevity, size and unique markings, have been eaten.
Over the weekend, park board staff tried to remove the remaining koi from the network of ponds in the garden at the edge of Vancouver’s Chinatown district, but were only able to capture one.
As we continue to work with @ParkBoard to contain the otter, Garden staff spent Saturday trying to rescue the remaining koi in our pond. After several hours, we were able to get one koi to @vanaqua for safekeeping. We will provide an update tomorrow. #Otterwatch2018 #ChinatownYVR pic.twitter.com/mjnvUmji4k
— Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (@vangarden) November 25, 2018
The park board says it’s now being cared for at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Further information is expected to be released about attempts to snare and relocate the otter to the Fraser Valley.
