Posted on 11/26/2018 12:02:42 PM PST by Gamecock
A total of 10 expensive koi fish have now been killed and eaten by the otter as of Sunday morning; there were previously 14 adult koi living in the ponds at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park in Chinatown.
As a result, staff at the Chinatown park have begun evacuating koi from the park’s ponds. On Saturday, crews moved in to begin rescue efforts.
So far, only one fish has been moved to the Vancouver Aquarium for safekeeping; koi are also difficult to capture so it remains unclear how long the evacuation will take though crews are working to relocate the remaining three fish. The one relocated koi took “several hours” to capture on Saturday, due to poor visibility in the water.
“It has been a difficult mission, trying to rescue our koi,” said Debbie Cheung, spokeswoman with the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park.
Cheung said it remains unknown whether Madonna, a 50-plus-year-old koi who had been at the park for the past 20 years, is among the remaining survivors.
The evacuation comes after an expert trapper was brought in late last week in an attempt to relocate the otter. Officials had been hoping to avoid relocating the koi, as draining the pond and moving the fish could cause stress and possible damage.
But after the otter was able to evade a set trap, stealing the bait and prancing off unscathed, officials are now forced to move the remaining koi.
It remains unclear exactly when and where the otter moved into the park earlier this month though its den has been located at the east end of the park. The park remains closed to the public until the otter can be relocated to the Fraser Valley, where it will be able to feast on salmon.
Cheung said there are plans to announce a fundraiser this coming week, to help with the cost of replacing the devoured koi. The colourful carp can cost anywhere from $10 for a small, young koi, up to thousands of dollars for show-grade, senior koi.
Earlier this year, a koi carp fish was sold at auction in Japan by breeder Kentaro Sakai for 203 million Yen ($2.4 million CAD), setting a new record.
I one a guy in Chinatown who can get us a great deal on gum.
That has to be the funniest headline of the month and the story is about as amusing. SAVE the CARP!
Night of the Otter!!!
Apparently, not to otters.
He's 10 out of 14 in that rich target environment, Mav.
Maybe there is not a good reason to put expensive fish in a pond that is vulnerable for feeding by otters and other wildlife. It sounds like they are sparing no cost to “save” the remaining koi, and plan to buy more to restock.
Sounds like a completely looney plan to me, but to each his own or whatever.
“living in the ponds at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park in Chinatown.”
I’m from the city and know that area very well, especially that park (best dimsum on earth across it) . This has been going on for the past 20 years. Either raccoons, badgers and cats get those koi but the neighborhood is full of rich Chinese who keep filling that damn pond with these pricey fishes. Even saw Japanese students just grab one and put in a plastic bag once..
A new entrant into the More Money Than Brains Club...
As Mama used to say:
Stupid is as stupid does.
Travis, as God as my witness, I thought fish could swim!.................
Sushi.
Fresh Sushi...................
Forget it koi. It’s Chinatown.
I'm guessing he didn't find it in the Potomac!
Koi ponds are like fast food joints for wild critters!
...koi are also difficult to capture...According to the article, it otter be easy.
Good movie.
just dynamite the pond that will bring the koi up ... belly up.
Forget it koi. It’s Chinatown.
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