Cork public asked to report sightings of rat-like coypu

A metre-long rat-like mammal has been spreading beyond a small Cork river where it is believed they have been breeding over the last two years.

The public is being asked to report sightings of any coypus, sometimes mistaken for otters, after one was spotted in or near the River Lee near the Lee Fields in Cork City a week ago.

It is one of a number seen since last year beyond the Curraheen River, that feeds into the River Lee from the south.