Otter News Archive

Town all shook up after Elvis the otter dies

Tobermory plans to erect a memorial statue to remember the famous otter in the Isle of Mull.

Read original. . .
Previous | Archive Index | Next

18th March 2010

STV, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

The town made famous by children's TV programme Balamory is in mourning after a celebrity sea otter was found dead.

Now Elvis the otter, whose death remains a mystery, may be remembered with his very own memorial statue In Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull.

The otter got his name because of his slicked back hair and star performances and became as big a hit in Tobermory as Balamory characters Miss Hooley and PC Plum.

No sooner had his body been found, beneath an upturned rowing boat, than a remembrance fund had been established in his name.

Argyll and Bute Councillor Gordon Chalmers, who represents Tobermory, said: "I think we will have to find a spot to put a statue of Elvis, because he was as much a character as any of the two-legged specimens that walk about Tobermory, he will be very sorely missed.

He added: "You could tell when he was around because there was always a crowd of people. He played to the audience, he knew they were there and he would spend ages basking in the spotlight."

James Fairbairns, of Mull base Sea Life Surveys, who set up the memorial fund, appealed to anyone who remembered Elvis to contribute and added: "We want to commemorate him in Tobermory in some way, perhaps something with an educational, or fundraising emphasis."

Councillor Chalmers said: "As well as a statue, I think it would be good to have something like an educational scholarship to remember the wee fellow."

Elvis's body was discovered just over a week ago at Tobermory's new pontoon complex.

Local man Jimmy Malloy, who made the find, said: "I was shocked and very sad to find him. He's been a companion to those of us who spend time at sea and who work around the bay here. I just hope he died a natural death."

It is not known exactly when the otter died, but local wildlife photographer and conservationist, Nic Davies said he had not seen Elvis since the end of last year.

Mr Davies said: "He was well known for getting into scrapes. Hardly a week passed without him acquiring a new scar or two and his crooked, broken tail became a permanent feature. Until now, he'd always bounced back.

Sadly, it was the combination of his broken tail and a missing canine tooth that confirmed the body was his."

He believes the otter could have been dead since the end of last year and that freezing weather may have kept his body preserved.

He added: "Locals believe he may have pushed his cheeky whiskers just a little too far into a sticky situation from which he was unable to extricate himself, perhaps succumbing to a dog bite."

Isle of Mull artist and filmaker Angus Stewart spent a lot of last year filming Elvis. He said: "He was a fantastic addition to this beautiful place. Like his namesake, he had many fans and followers, he'll be missed."