A playful otter has made headlines after breaking into a Shetland home, causing quite a ruckus during a family dinner. The unexpected guest, caught on video, disrupted the Mouat family’s evening as they were preparing monkfish tails for supper. What started as a sighting outside their home quickly turned into a comical scene as the otter boldly made its way inside.
The mischievous mammal proceeded to wreak havoc in the kitchen, leaving a trail of overturned dishes, lamps, and rummaged cupboards in its wake. The entire incident was captured on video by Donna Mouat, the family matriarch, and shared on social media, garnering attention and local fame for the Mouat family.
Ryan Mouat, a local fisherman, expressed relief that nothing was broken during the otter’s visit. Reflecting on the chaos caused by their unexpected visitor, Ryan shared, “Surprisingly there was nothing actually broken. But we had a bowl of monkfish tails lying around the kitchen worktops which we intended to have for our supper, so I’m glad it didn’t go for them. We managed to salvage them for our tea.”
The otter’s bold break-in was not entirely out of the blue, as Ryan suspects the curious creature had been frequenting their home due to the nearby stream and availability of fish. “I had fish sitting outside of the house and it had obviously been eating them. We have a stream which cuts through our back garden, and the otters quite often go up from the sea to the loch just 20 yards behind our garden. I think it has probably smelt the fish, and decided to nip into the house in search for more,” Ryan explained.
While otters are a common sight near the pier and boats, the rural otters can be a bit wilder, as Ryan noted. Despite the chaos caused by the otter’s escapade, the Mouat family has found humor and entertainment in the situation. Ryan shared, “We find they are fairly tame. However, the ones you get in the country can get a little wild.”
The video of the otter’s antics has not only entertained the local community but also brought newfound attention to the Mouat family, particularly Donna, who shared the video online. Ryan humorously added, “It’s mostly been my wife that’s been getting all the attention, after she posted the video somewhere online. There has been a lot of people contacting us about it, it’s made quite a stir!”
Overall, the unexpected visit from the otter has provided a lighthearted moment for the Mouat family and their community, showcasing the playful and curious nature of these charming creatures. While the otter may have made a mess in their kitchen, it also left behind a lasting memory and a tale to share for years to come.
