New Zealand Otter

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32127, 24 October 1969, Page 10

New Zealand Otter

Sir,—l am completing the I details for a book on New Zealand mysteries which inI eludes the story of tbe mythical New Zealand otter. 1 i must agree with Mr Pollock that the late James Watson’s article was very one-sided. Though Mr Watson recognised the existence of more up-to-date accounts he did not bother to study them and so missed some interesting stones. Many people in Southland have recorded an animal resembling this creature often seen near, or in the tributaries of the Waiau River, the latest of these being a strange animal seen by employees of the Clifden lime works as late as 1956. Many of the observers have been keen naturalists with a good working knowledge of the local fauna. At one stage, Herries Beattie accounted for the otter-like creature by recording the capture of a mongoose in a trap in Southland. These animals were introduced from India by Mr C. Basstien, of Dunrobin Sta-

tion, to deal with the rabbit problem. Like Mr Pollock, I would be interested to hear of other sightings in recent years.—Yours, etc., "ROBYN JENKIN.” October 23, 1969.