Alert Bay community rallies to save baby otter pups trapped in fishing net

Community members in Alert Bay saved the lives of three baby otter pups who became entangled in a discarded fishing net late last month. 

On Tuesday, July 28th, residents heard the animals making sounds of distress and went to the ’Namgis Dock to investigate. 

There, they found the three otters entangled in a fishing net that had been left on the dock, an area frequently travelled by local wildlife.

Acting quickly, the residents were able to successfully free two of the otter pups who immediately returned to the water and reunited with their mother waiting nearby. 

The third pup however, was found in critical condition with netting tightly wrapped around its neck, restricting its breathing.

After one resident cut away the net constricting the pup, the otter was unresponsive and not breathing. 

The resident then performed CPR on the animal and successfully restored its breathing.

Alert Bay RCMP attended the scene and worked to contact local wildlife rescue volunteers who put them in touch with Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) in Merville, coordinating the safe transport of the injured otter to a wildlife rehabilitation facility.

Police say the quick thinking, teamwork and dedication of the local residents helped save the young otter’s life. 

Police are using this incident as an opportunity to remind residents and visitors to properly secure and store fishing nets, ropes and other fishing equipment. 

“Cormorant Island is home to many species of wildlife, and we all have a role to play in keeping them safe,” said Sergeant David Ribeiro-Pereira, detachment commander of Alert Bay RCMP.

“This incident serves as an important reminder that properly securing and storing fishing gear can help prevent unnecessary harm to animals and protect the wildlife that makes our community so special.”

Police say that after receiving medical treatment and rehabilitation, the otter made a full recovery several days later. 

Since its recovery, the otter has been transported back to Alert Bay, where it was successfully reunited with its family in the wild.