I have had better days

[RainCaster]

I have a large pond in the yard and have been raising koi in it for many years now. Some are over 24 inches, many generations exist here. I always look out my windows as I go by to see if a heron is visiting; I will chase them away before they can kill our friends.

Today I looked out and saw a Red Tailed Hawk out in the garden next to the pond eating one of our 12" koi. So I went out and chased it off, then bagged up the still live fish and put her in the deep freeze for a humane death. I then noticed one of our big koi (tri-color 26+ inch) was dead and laying underneath the stream bridge with it's side torn open. Bagged that one up too, it had been dead for a day or more, judging by the faded colors.

After washing my hands, I came back out and saw a river otter getting out of the pond with another koi in it's mouth. Now I know the culprit of all the damage. It wasn't the hawk. There are several more fish laying out- just killed and left to rot. So I had to get the rifle and take care of Mr.s Otter. As much as I love my koi, I do not like having to kill anything.

[hlthe2b]

1. Uggh. Well, I'm sorry, but I happen to love otters. Too bad you couldn't trap & relocate

I am sorry for your loss, but I do have to wonder why you chose to post this in the pets group? I get that the koi are beloved as pets and I can appreciate that but I wouldn't post about killing the hawk or coyote or owl who kills my beloved wild rabbits--or the neighbor's kitten or pup.

Sorry, but I feel this intensely. I'd also be wary of posting about killing wildlife. Depending on where you are that may be illegal. Admittedly I'm also curious what you would have done if you'd found the culprit to be your neighbor's dog. Shoot it too?

[FoxNewsSucks]

2. No need to feel bad, you're just protecting

your "family". The fish rely on you for protection.

[markie]

3. oh, hard to take

I go through it with foxes, ermine, hawks, raccoons, bears killing my chickens and bees and getting into the garden... it can be a constant struggle I want so desperately to have us and wildlife work together

I use electric fence but sometimes 'things happen'

sorry for your loss

I want so desperately to have us and wildlife work together

[broiles]

4. I gave up on fish ponds when the villains were snakes.

Now it's a lily pond. When I was trying to net the snake, I fell into the pond with the snake.

[Karadeniz]

5. A heron killed all our koi.

[alittlelark]

6. When I had a large pond my dog kept predators at bay.

Even a smallish dog will scare off the big birds.

[elleng]

7. ;-(

[IbogaProject]

8. Condolences

My condolences to you, your Koi & the Otter (family?).

Whew.

[Ocelot II]

9. River otters are a protected species. Killing them is a crime.

https://www.otter-world.com/otters-endangered/#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%20Otters,numbers%20in%20very%20little%20time.

[RainCaster]

10. That article was talking about sea otters.

According to the EPA, river otters are in the "least concern" category. I am very familiar with both species and can readily identify them.

[hlthe2b]

11. River otters are state-protected/threatened in Colorado--as are most species of raptors.

And fines/jail time can be extensive. If the poster goes to their state Parks & Wildlife website they may find it to be the same in their own locale.

It is depressing that some think all problems require a gun or other lethal intervention.

As one of a cohort of cousins that were required by my grandfather and uncles to learn how to protect/care for livestock and poultry as well growing up, we'd never made it out of our teens if we'd not learned how to build and reinforce chicken coops and to work with county extension agents to address larger predators humanely. Guns were for venomous snakes only and only rarely used then. As my grandfather instilled in us and my father & uncles, if we couldn't outsmart the predators by protecting what is essentially an outdoor FEAST, then we had no business owning them.