In the port of the Finnish city of Hanko, otters are massively damaging new cars stored in a warehouse before being sent to dealers; total damage exceeded 200 thousand euros, according to the publication Maaseudun Tulevaisuus.
According to the publication, there is a warehouse with approximately 10 thousand unused cars on the territory of the port. Animals get under the hoods of cars, where they gnaw at electrical wiring, damage insulation and carpets. In addition, otters leave excrement, natural debris and a persistent odor, which makes the cars unsuitable for immediate shipment.
Due to the current situation, port employees turned to the local wildlife protection center for help in catching otters. This is not the first such case for animal rights activists. In April last year, the port had already received permission to catch two individuals. Then it was possible to catch only one otter, but the problem with damage to cars did not disappear after that.
The reasons for the unusual behavior of animals have not yet been established. Experts cannot explain why otters choose new cars and their wiring.
