19/12/2023
Response to the deaths at Delta Lakes in
Council Response to the otter deaths at Delta Lakes in Llanelli Carmarthenshire Wales
Thank you Councillor Rees
Got the update 🐾
Good afternoon Councillor Rees
Please see the response on this matter I have received from CCC’s Project Ecologist who is working with the Ecological Consultants at Pentre Awel.
Kindest regards
Rosie Carmichael
Response:
An important element of this development of this site has been about ensuring that appropriate measures are taken in terms of all of the ecological interest on the site and on adjacent land is at the forefront from the start, and Bouygues have been doing everything asked of them. They have also made very good appointments in terms of ECOW and Otter specialists.
As mentioned, action is being taken with a series of meetings set up this week to look at the possible cause. I’m happy at this stage with the experience of the Otter specialist (Dyfrig Jones from TerrAqua) to leave it in their hands. I will be kept in the loop so if we need to call in others, I will be in a position to do so.
The dates of the deaths are 11th and 13th December. One of them looks to be a male.
The discussions have been started but I think it would be prudent for a review of the otter crossing point at this location and see what can be done.
I will ask for an update later this week and we will make a decision as to whether we should advise that we engage a second otter specialist to advise on this matter, I am aware that Dyfrig Jones is very experienced. Those discussing this matter will know that while on a road in Wales we cannot put up a sign with a picture of an otter (as is done in Scotland) as this is not a Welsh Government approved sign in Wales. However, we can use a hazard sign (an exclamation mark) and with text below saying otter crossing or similar, as we do at Commissioners’ Bridge near Kidwelly on the A 484. I am sure this option will be considered.
There may be other measures which can be put in place to make this area safer for otters and this is what will be explored.
Carmarthenshire County Council
BBC Wales News BBC Winterwatch Cardiff University Otter Project Welsh Government
UK Wildlife West Wales Rivers Trust
West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre
West Wales Wildlife Trust ITV Wales Bouygues Daily Mail
In Otter News Wales & Shropshire otter watch 0fficial
