He said the agency acted illegally by building otter "holts" to encourage them to settle and breed.

BBC: Brian Dodson

The holts are part of the Otters and Rivers Project, a joint initiative by Water UK and the Wildlife Trust.

BBC: News | UK | Otters return to UK rivers

The charity believes the wet weather may be responsible for displacing young otters whose holts (dens) have been flooded or disturbed.

BBC: Otter pup Cally

Reporters from the Asbury Park Press, a local newspaper, went back to the Holts' neighborhood to talk to people there about Brandon.

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Otters spend most of the day resting in burrows, known as holts, which are built from sticks and branches along the water's edge.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Wales | North East Wales | Flood otter's fight for survival

Judge Andrew Keyser QC said the agency did not build otter holts on the Afon Cegin river close to Mr Dobson's fish farm.

BBC: Brian Dodson

Mr Dodson claims the agency is constructing otter holts across England and Wales unsupervised and could be having a significant impact on fish farm operations.

BBC: Brian Dodson

This week sees the launch of a series artificial holts - the name given to an otter's nest - to hasten the mammals' return to their old haunts.

BBC: News | UK | Otters return to UK rivers