What Happened Here? - Koi

SparklySarah · #1 (**permalink**) 18-11-2009, 10:00 PM

Not sure where to put this, but got a text from my mum today with a rather odd predicament. She found a dead koi in the stream next to us, quite fresh, so probably recently killed, about 21" long (picture below). A friend three miles away has been losing about 3 koi a night, usually left on the lawn half eaten. There was grey/brown poo next to the one mum found, full of bits, possibly scales. She wonders whether it's mink or heron? Any ideas? Here's a pic of the one she found:

Any help greatly appreciated! Cheers. xxx

david156 · #2 (**permalink**) 18-11-2009, 10:04 PM

Hi.

Don't think it would be a heron they normally eat there fish whole. More likely a mammel.
I would think something on the smaller size and not otter size although thats a big fish. (assuming they are not tiny feet)

David.

Kayleigh · #3 (**permalink**) 18-11-2009, 10:34 PM

Mink I think...

SparklySarah · #4 (**permalink**) 18-11-2009, 10:35 PM

Thanks for that David, very unlikely to be an otter anyway, sorry forgot to mention it's was found in a little village othe the Herefordshire/Gloucestershire border. And they're size 7 boots and the fish is 22ins long. So what kind of mammal is it likely to be? xxx

david156 · #5 (**permalink**) 18-11-2009, 10:41 PM

I would go for mink aswell but your best to wait till the mammal experts get on to this.

I googled mink poop images but didn't get very good results!

David

SparklySarah · #6 (**permalink**) 18-11-2009, 11:24 PM

I hope it's not mink

Would they really carry it 3 miles away though? Seems odd. Thanks again. xxx

Hedera · #7 (**permalink**) 18-11-2009, 11:29 PM

Perhaps it was one of those large cats which have been seen around the area? Although they would have most likely have eaten it on the spot.

SparklySarah · #8 (**permalink**) 18-11-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedera

Perhaps it was one of those large cats which have been seen around the area? Although they would have most likely have eaten it on the spot.

Yup!! Would have been non-existant, gone in one gulp!!

Hedera · #9 (**permalink**) 18-11-2009, 11:46 PM

Do foxes fish? They will carry prey some distances.

tcvarlh · #10 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 08:31 AM

I'm wondering why the head is still on and only that much stripped away. The mink I've seen eat the head first, like otters do, foxes 'normally' bite chunks out like dogs, cats will strip the flesh off. Do you have clear shots of any prints?
h
oh I love a puzzle!