SPARE THE OTTER!
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,— After the badger, the otter is proliably the oldest, as he is certainly one of the most fascinating, of distinctively British animals. Naturalists tell us he is a friend and not a foe to the fishermen, and that he lives mainly on frogs, beetles, eels, kelts and other coarse fish that destroy young fish. Mr. Tregarthen even goes so far as to say that any unprejudiced judge will pronounce for " a thorough system of Orotection.'
It is unfortunate, under the circumstances, that this shy, harmless creature should, as Lord Wodehouse tells its, be hunted when " all other animals are preserved, and are either breeding or have their young with them." It is more than unfortunate : it is distinctly cruel, for it involves the harrying of females heavy with young, the destruction of mothers in milk, and the lingering starvation of suckling cubs. Surely, at this time of day, the chivalry of the British sportsman can find his " pleasure" in a more humane manner than this, and we respectfully invite you to help us to create that public opinion that will require him to do so.--I am.
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