A mother otter and her two young have drowned after getting caught in an illegal net trap.
A member of the public found the otters in the trap in the River Tyne next to Haddington Golf Course on Tuesday.
It is thought the animals drowned after getting caught in the net, which is used to catch eel or crayfish.
Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA are now working together to try and find out who placed the illegal trap in the river.
PC Gavin Ross said: “Examination of the otters confirms that they were an adult female and two young and it appears they became trapped within the net and were unable to escape.
“Using a net trap for catching eels and crayfish is illegal and we would urge members of the public who remembers seeing anyone fishing in this manner to contact police immediately.
“The death of these animals will be of great distress to many members of the local community, particularly as their return to our rivers is an environmental success story.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or the Scottish SPCA on 03000 999 999.
Source: STV News
