Otter suspected to have died in trap for blue peacocks in Kinmen; County government to review trap placement

In Kinmen, an Eurasian otter is suspected to have died after accidentally triggering a trap set for the invasive blue peacock. The Kinmen County Government stated that it has requested contractors to remove traps in the area. Currently, the government is reducing the risk of accidental injury to non-target species by strengthening patrols in high-risk areas and reviewing the timing and placement of traps.

The Kinmen Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Association posted on Facebook today that on March 24, they received a report that a member of the public had sent an injured otter to the epidemic prevention station. As there have been no live otter cases in Kinmen for many years, the association immediately dispatched a rescue team. Upon arrival, the otter had no signs of life. Preliminary on-site inspection confirmed its death, and subsequent sampling and pathological autopsy were conducted to clarify the cause of death.

The association stated that the otter was a male sub-adult with clear constriction marks on its right forelimb, causing severe swelling. There were small bite wounds on the swollen paw, and all other claws were missing or worn down, indicating a long struggle before death. Evidence suggests the otter likely died due to the trap.

According to the pathological report from the Veterinary Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, the otter showed pathological characteristics related to capture myopathy. The stress during confinement, capture myopathy, and exhaustion, combined with crush syndrome after escaping, ultimately led to systemic circulatory and organ failure.

The association noted that no traps were found at the scene when the public discovered the otter, but staff found several homemade traps in the surrounding area the next day. Some traps in Kinmen are used to remove blue peacocks, which may cause agricultural losses and flight safety concerns. However, the traps found had no clear markings, making it impossible to confirm their source.

The association pointed out that this is the first recorded otter death due to a trap. Since the location was far from water bodies and not a frequent otter activity area, further monitoring is needed to determine if this was an isolated incident.

The Kinmen County Government's Department of Economic Development stated that the otter was found in Xintang, Jinhu Township, which is not a monitored hotspot for Eurasian otters. Although it could not be confirmed if the trap was placed by a contracted vendor, they have requested all traps in the area be removed.

The department noted that the traps used by contractors are legal single-snare traps. They will establish a communication mechanism with invasive species removal contractors to share otter hotspot information and discuss using legal air guns instead of traps in those areas.

The department stated that they will continue to strengthen patrols and review trap management to minimize risks to non-target species, with further discussions involving authorities and experts.