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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Alasdair Clark

Brilliant footage catches otters living in the heart of Edinburgh - here's how to spot them

Believe it or not Edinburgh is home to several wild otters who swim freely around some of the city's rivers and lochs.

The animals are extremely timid but local photographer Andrew Lanxon was lucky to capture one of the city's newest residents who seemed not too upset by people nearby.

After a tip off from a friend, Andrew went searching for the otter in Dunsapie Loch in Edinburgh, near Arthur's Seat.

Scotland's wild otter population is estimated at around 8000, but they are still a rare find in more urban areas like Edinburgh.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Andrew said he was excited to try and find the otters near Arthur's Seat: "I'd heard from a friend that an otter had moved into Dunsapie Loch at the foot of Arthur's Seat and I was so excited to try and get a good view.

"Otters are typically extremely timid animals, but this one seemed quite at ease with not just myself on the shore of the loch, but also with the numerous joggers and cyclists who were out for their sunrise exercise.

"He spent much of the time diving up and down, returning to the surface to chew on a fish he'd caught, floating along the surface for a couple of seconds before diving back down.

"The stillness of the water meant it was quite easy to see the ripples as he surfaced each time. It was a magical experience to sit and watch him and remarkable to think that I was able to view such a beautiful creature only a short cycle from my home in the city."

And for budding photographers, Andrew shared his top tips for getting a great photograph. Most importantly, he said, respecting wildlife and their environment is crucial.

"Staying quiet and well-hidden will not only help you get better photos, but is less likely to disturb the animal and encourage it to leave the area. Stick to pathways as much as possible to avoid potentially disturbing ground-nesting birds and make sure you seek advice beforehand on photographing protected species like golden eagles.

"Contacting a local wildlife guide is a great way to improve your chance of success while also ensuring you're enjoying the environment responsibly," Andrew explained.
 

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