Ipswich Holywells Park worker shares video of rare otter swimming and bathing in waterway

A park keeper has described his excitement after capturing a rare sighting of a European otter bathing in a town centre waterway.

Matthew Garnham, who works for Holywells Park, Ipswich, spotted the mammal home-building and fishing in the park’s stream earlier this week.

He then shared the video with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, which has been posted on its social media and viewed nearly 3,000 times.

“I feel very excited to see a wild otter,” said Matthew.

“Otters are mainly nocturnal hunters, so it’s rare to see them during the day, but more are switching to be active during the day.”

Although otters have been sighted along the River Orwell and the Ipswich Waterfront before, Matthew said it is very scarce.

According to Wildlife Trust, the species are widespread and can be found throughout the country, but are absent from parts of central and southern England.

Matthew explained the recent floods could be the reason why the otter was spotted in this part of the country.

“My theory is the otter was washed down the river by the high water,” said Matthew.

“I think it followed the water coming down from the park and that’s why it made it to the park where it is easy to feed.

“I think it’s possible to see more in future, even this individual may turn up again – it knows where a good hunting ground is.”

The animals are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.