Thread: Very Sad Update

Absolutely gutted for you. I've seen this happen on fisheries several times over the years and have helped build an otter fence on 3 lakes.

A proper otter fence round a pond would not look good. Have you considered fencing the perimeter of the garden/land instead?

Feel for you, I’ve been there! I was wiped out about 4/5 years ago now, I lost 12/13 koi and the 3 that it left were in a sorry state, as you say ripped to bits but still alive! It was like a bloodbath, bits and scales everywhere!

I’ve ended up going for the prison look-Weld mesh panels and a wooden frame-not ideal! but have a young family so was on the verge of having to make the pond child safe anyway so not the end of the world in our situation

Your options are either protect it-heavy duty-or fill it in, they are clever and can also climb-anything light duty, even electric is not a long term solution

I’m also into carp fishing and have seen first hand the mess they make on a few of the waters I fish, but they are here to stay! Not much else you can do!

Ahhh WOW, that is awful to hear, I'd be heartbroken, I think along with all the advice you need a good time to reflect on if you even want to put yourself through that again... damn!!

Originally Posted by Mode

Hi all

Not been on here for a while as my Koi and pond was thriving - 14 koi all of 50cm and above. Healthy, happy and good water etc.

Now they are all gone. If you check out some of my threads I live on the river Chelmer and that too is healthy and thriving. So much so that it is now a habitat for otters, and lots of them. They have even been seen in the banks in the middle of Chelmsford city centre!

So, over the last 4 weeks I have been finding koi half eaten, chewed and sometimes half skinnned - sometimes still alive.

Despite best efforts with wire netting they are all gone. Last one I had to dispatch this morning.

What now, fill in the pond? Make it look like a prison? Massive investment to raise it above ground level to then make it easier to protect?

Not sure.

To have otters in the garden is amazing had I not had a koi pond!

Gutted.


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So very sorry. Otters are amazing and it’s great to see them but not around your pond. I just can’t imagine how upsetting this is.
I think other than enclosing the pond completely or putting up an electric fence there is little you can do.
I have many pet’s including Bantam hens and Call ducks. They roamed the garden freely when we were at home and always went in their coops at night. One morning in broad daylight a fox came and took 3 of the 4 ducks and 5 hens. After the initial upset we decided to build large runs for the remaining poultry. They don’t get to free range anymore but at least they are safe.
Again, my sincere sympathy and hopes that you don’t give up what can be a lovely hobby.

So sorry to read this Mode, that sounds devastating, and I remember from old videos that your Koi collection was top notch.

The only solution I can think of that doesn't involve fencing is to have 2" Mesh powder coated stainless covers made up, but these are not cheap, mine cost over £1000 just to cover a 4.2m x 2.6m pond, and that was before COVID.

Sorry to hear this mate, one of my friends had a run in with an otter and it was devastating seeing him fill in his pond. I hope you find a solution to the otter problem and can get back into the hobby.

Sorry to read this, you must be devastated, what would i do , to be honest i do not know