Otters have been recently spotted at the Tees Barrage<\/a>, Saltholme<\/a> and even a park in Middlesbrough<\/a>. And as populations recover in the UK, the mammals are thought to be increasingly targeting garden ponds for easy treats.<\/p>\n “It was amazing,” said Debbie, 59. “We had been down to see them at the barrage and had chatted to people about them but actually seeing one here… at first I was thinking, what is it and where has it come from?!”<\/p>\n The little thief was unveiled on Ring doorbell footage at their home, which regularly catches wildlife having a snoop around the garden. “I check the Ring doorbell footage because we do get foxes and other things in the garden,” said Debbie.<\/p>\n “I noticed there was a fox at about 7am and when I looked back, I saw the otter appear just after 3am. We back on to Acklam Grange school and there is a beck that runs along Mandale and eventually does go along past Teesside Park and into the river.<\/p>\n “So I’m thinking has it come up looking for food this far? When I put it on Facebook<\/a> people have said they have spotted an otter around this area before. He must have a really good sense of smell!”<\/p>\n Otters have recently been spotted at a park in Middlesbrough(Image: Darren Hudson)<\/p>\n An otter at the Tees Barrage(Image: Rick Ingham)<\/p>\n Last year, the Martins lost about 12 fish when a heron paid an unwelcome visit. “It took everything out of the pond so my husband said ‘I’m not going to spend a lot of money on it.’<\/p>\n “So there were only six fish in there this time. We had three ghost koi – only smallish ones but they weren’t cheap – and three goldfish.”<\/p>\n Brian has now decided the pond has to go. “He’s said now, ‘that’s it, I’m getting rid of it, I can’t afford to keep feeding the wildlife,'” laughed Debbie.<\/p>\n “People have messaged me privately saying they have expensive fish in their ponds and are now thinking they need extra security. I can just see them buildings walls around their ponds!”<\/p>\n Thanks to Debbie for sharing the footage. Have you spotted an otter in your garden or an unusual location? Let us know!<\/p>\n Did you know you can make Teesside Live a preferred source of Teesside news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information<\/a> about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Otters](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1_NCR_MGA_220126_otters_05.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Baby](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1_NCR_MGA_151025_otter_08.jpg\")
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