Otter becomes political pawn in Lahti after eating a goose

A live otter near the centre of Lahti has become a political talking point after it was spotted eating a barnacle goose in a local park.

The incident, first reported in a Facebook group, sparked widespread discussion online, with residents sharing photos and suggesting rewards for the otter if it continues to cull the city’s goose population. Some proposed making it the official mascot of Lahti, while others expressed sympathy for the geese.

Local councillor Jani Wallenius (National Coalition Party) waded into the debate, posting a plea to protect the otter—dubbed “Wille” in his message—after claiming to see hatred directed at it online. Wallenius has long advocated for measures to reduce the barnacle goose population in Lahti, including supporting government plans to classify the species as a protected game bird, allowing controlled hunting. He also backs proposals for municipalities to disperse geese under environmental authority supervision.

Fellow councillor Seppo Korhonen (Pro Lahti) accused Wallenius of exploiting the otter to advance his own agenda against geese and gulls, noting that no one in the online discussions had actually suggested harming the animal.

Wildlife expert Dr Heidi Kinnunen, a biologist, said otters are increasingly common in Finland and can adapt to urban environments. While an adult barnacle goose would be too large for an otter to prey on, goslings at this time of year are about the size of a tennis ball and could be part of its diet. Otters primarily eat fish and amphibians, occasionally small mammals like water voles.

Kinnunen dismissed Wallenius’s suggestion of introducing a population of otters to control the goose numbers, explaining that otters are highly territorial. Forcing multiple otters into the same area would cause significant stress for the animals.

The otter, which has been observed near the city centre in daylight, may be a bold young individual or an older, urban-adapted animal accustomed to human activity, she added.

Otters are a protected species in Finland and listed under the EU Habitats Directive. The national population is estimated at under 5,000, though numbers have been rising in recent years.