WATCH: Storm washes up otter in Mitchells Plain backyard
Only in Cape Town will we see such otter-the-ordinary things...
Otter, 123rf
Lester Kiewit speaks to Jon Friedman (SPCA wildlife supervisor) about otter sightings in Mitchells Plain.
The storm has washed up an otter in Mitchells Plain.
Friedman says it's common for otters to navigate the metro using underground stormwater drains.
But this mode of transportation also means they might pop up in places like Mitchells Plain, especially when heavy storms disrupt the flow of drainage systems.
Friedman suspects this is exactly what happened to an otter who found itself in a resident's driveway in Mitchells Plain.
Watch below.
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Friedman says it is not 'unusual' for animals like otters to appear 'otter' nowhere (we had to) in Cape Town, but residents should keep their distance until the otters make their way out of the area.
"It's not a totally unusual one in the context of Cape Town wild animal species that have adopted to a very happy life among us. This is also a seasonal thing as Cape otters are moving around now... it's the season when baby otters are being born at the start of a rainy season. So, quite normal, but also unusual."
- Jon Friedman, Wildlife supervisor - SPCA
"Otters are curious creatures by nature and they will often approach people and this is where you get some conflict. So, we always advise people to give them space... they can and will bite, so keep your distance, no matter how cute they are."
- Jon Friedman, Wildlife Supervisor - SPCA
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.