Three otters die in illegal trap

People setting traps need to adhere to by-laws

Three otters have drowned after getting caught inside an illegal trap set in the River Cam in Cambridgeshire.

The trap - designed to catch crayfish - was discovered by a canoeist who spotted the protected otters had got inside and died.

Environment Agency staff who recovered the trap said the entry to the wire-mesh cage exceeded regulations.

The agency said if the culprit is caught they will face prosecution which could result in a heavy fine or jail.

Andy Sadler, the fisheries and diversity officer for the Environment Agency, said: "It looks like a chub had swum into it and that's what the otters probably went in there for.

Irresponsible and reckless

"The trap is probably one for catching crayfish but they're relatively new in design and the mouth is too big.

"The entrance of the trap looks to be about 130mm - its only just over the 95mm limit, but it's surprising where otters will go to get food."

Mr Sadler said the agency had no objection to traps being used in rivers so long as they conformed to regulations set down to protect wildlife, especially endangered species.

"It's people being irresponsible and reckless because they're not setting the traps up correctly and we can't control it unless people come to us to get the correct information," he said.