Why are otters raiding urban garden ponds?

The 16ft-long pond in Nige Cooper’s garden is where he dotes on his sturgeon, goldfish and rescued koi carp and delights in the dragonflies, bats and birds that dart above the water.

But he now watches over it for different reasons.

Nige is on high alert for otters who, he said, have snuck into his garden several times seeking a midnight snack.

“We’ve installed electric fences, motion-sensor lighting, left peppercorns and put up CCTV,” the 61-year-old said.

“I’ve even trained my chihuahuas to look at the pond and bark like mad when they come.”