An Edinburgh man has spotted two otter kits in the Water of Leith playing amongst rubbish and foam this week.
“I was lucky to see these two otter kits [Tuesday] morning at Saughton, just a shame they have to put up with all the plastic trash in the river,” he said.
Dode Allen, a professional videographer and photographer from Edinburgh, has taken hundreds of photos of Saughton’s otters over the years, and more than half feature rubbish in plain sight.
“It’s pretty grim,” he said. “I must have hundreds of pictures and I can guarantee that almost 50 percent have rubbish in them.”
READ MORE: Edinburgh Filmhouse staff struggling to survive with no pay after shock closure
Dode spotted the young otters on Tuesday morning from a bridge near Saughton Park.
“I looked down and saw these two young otters wrestling with each other on the river bank,” he said.
“It was the first time I had seen these particular babies, but I’ve been watching otters from that bridge for three years now.”
Dode said the same reason otters are attracted to the area is the same reason they are forced to swim in rubbish.
“The otters live in this area because it’s like a big basin, and it’s one of the deepest parts of the river. Unfortunately it traps both fish and litter,” he said.
Dode said the bus stop by the road coupled with littering drivers and the proximity of the Murrayfield Stadium makes the area a hot spot for litter. Although Water of Leith Conservation Trust and other organisations often organise regular litter pick ups, there’s always more rubbish.
“It’s a natural area, but it’s right beside a main road. It is frustrating to see,” he said. "It’s a never ending task. I have gone down with bin liners on my own in the past. I gathered about four bags in a couple hours on my own.”
At a best guess, Dode thinks the otters are around three months old. However, he said the amazing community of otter enthusiasts and local experts have more specific knowledge about the otter family.
READ NEXT: Edinburgh youth gang menace neighbourhood in broad daylight
Edinburgh named as having the best odds in the UK for a white Christmas
Edinburgh bus passenger in stitches over 'pointless sign stating the obvious'
Edinburgh police hunt thugs who injured officer after attacking car with bricks
Edinburgh woman left on trolley in packed hospital A&E corridor for 17 hours
