Skye charity in warning after island otter contracts avian flu

A leading international wildlife charity based on Skye has warned members of the public over the handling of dead otters after one of the animals on the island tested positive for avian flu recently.

 

According to reports, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has confirmed that four otters in Scotland – one on Shetland, two in Fife and the animal on Skye - were found to have contracted the disease after samples were taken as part of routine wildlife surveillance.

 

The surveillance also detected the presence of H5N1 influenza of avian origin in four foxes – all in England.

 

Dr Paul Yoxon, who founded the Skye-based International Otter Survival Fund with his wife, Grace, almost 30 years ago, told the Lochaber Times this week the discovery of the disease in otters was very concerning.

 

'Obviously this is a concern for otters and all wildlife. As yet we do not know the scale of the problem and this will only become known as more otters are tested, which is being done by the Scottish Rural College,' he said.

 

'We would advise people to be careful of handling any dead animal and if they find a dead otter to contact IOSF [International Otter Survival Fund] for advice.'

 

And a spokesperson for NatureScot added: 'We are concerned about the unprecedented outbreak of avian flu over the last two years and continue to work with partners through the Scottish Task Force to ensure that we have the correct monitoring and best advice for land managers in place.

 

'Animals scavenging on dead birds and then succumbing to avian flu has been reported in a number of countries, but thankfully at very low levels.'