Otter's death sparks warning over illegal traps

The growing use of illegal crayfish traps has been criticised by environmental groups after an otter became trapped and died on a West Yorkshire canal.

The dead otter was found in a crayfish trap near a bridge on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in Silsden and those responsible were currently unknown, according to police.

The Environment Agency said such traps were an ongoing issue on waterways, while the Canal and River Trust said it was "hugely concerning".

Phillippa Baron, senior ecologist at the Canal & River Trust, said the recent return of otters to the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal had been an "environmental success story" and it was "very sad" to hear of the animal's death.

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Baron said: "Once rarely seen due to pollution and habitat loss, otter numbers are gradually increasing - an important indicator of a healthy ecosystem in our waterways.

"So, the discovery of an otter drowned after getting caught in an illegal trap, believed to have been left in the canal to catch crayfish, is not only very sad, but also hugely concerning."

Otters are a legally protected species and often feed on crayfish.

The Leeds-Liverpool Canal is home to both native white-clawed crayfish and American signal crayfish – a damaging invasive non-native species.

According to the Environment Agency, most of the illegal traps do not have otter guards and the animals are often attracted to the bait or the trapped crayfish.

Once inside the traps, the otters are unable to escape and can get injured or killed.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said its staff were monitoring "the growing use of illegal crayfish traps" across Yorkshire.

"Unauthorised traps are indiscriminate and lack protections, meaning they can catch non-target species such as otter and water voles," they added.

"We rely heavily on public vigilance to catch the criminals responsible and encourage people to report anything that looks suspicious."

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