This is the astounding moment an otter was filmed taking a detour through a city centre housing estate in the UK.

The furry creature, usually found in rivers and lakes, was caught on camera taking a stroll through the suburbs of Salisbury, Wiltshire.

But despite being out of its usual environment, the otter seemed fairly street-wise and stuck to the pavements to avoid any potential danger.

It’s thought it may have been drawn to the area by the scent of fish in neighbourhood ponds.

Dad Chris Jenkins, 30, spotted the marine mammal as it passed his driveway while he was unloading his car.

Chris said: “Normally you would only really see them in the countryside. I was really amazed to see one here.

“I could hear the birds screaming a little while and looked to see what all the fuss was about, and then there was just this otter.

"The birds were circling, but they didn’t try and attack him, I think they just wanted to see him off.

“I was quite shocked, I’m pleased that I thought of getting the video because the otter disappeared into a neighbour’s garden and it all happened too quickly to get my son to come and have a look.”

Chris, a microbiologist, shared the video on his family’s WhatsApp group before uploading it to a Facebook wildlife group where the rogue otter was a big hit with fans.

Otters are among the most protected creatures in the UK. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, they cannot be killed, kept or sold - even stuffed specimens - except under licence.

AN-JenkinsOtter - By Hayley O’Keeffe - WITH PICTURES AND VIDEO

This is the astounding moment an OTTER was filmed taking a detour through a city centre housing estate.

The furry creature, usually found in rivers and lakes, was caught on camera taking a stroll through the suburbs of Salisbury, Wilts.

But despite being out of its usual environment, the otter seemed fairly street-wise and stuck to the pavements to avoid any potential danger.

It’s thought it may have been drawn to the area by the scent of fish in neighbourhood ponds.

Dad Chris Jenkins, 30, spotted the marine mammal as it passed his driveway while he was unloading his car.

Chris said: “Normally you would only really see them in the countryside. I was really amazed to see one here.

“I could hear the birds screaming a little while and looked to see what all the fuss was about, and then there was just this otter.

The birds were circling, but they didn’t try and attack him, I think they just wanted to see him off.

“I was quite shocked, I’m pleased that I thought of getting the video because the otter disappeared into a neighbour’s garden and it all happened too quickly to get my son to come and have a look.”

Chris, a microbiologist, shared the video on his family’s WhatsApp group before uploading it to a Facebook wildlife group where the rogue otter was a big hit with fans.

Otters are among the most protected creatures in the UK. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, they cannot be killed, kept or sold - even stuffed specimens - except under licence.

In recent years there have been repeated calls from fishery owners to be allowed to deal with otters that target their stock of prized fish.

Otters usually eat fish, eels, frogs, eggs and small birds and are also known to eat small mammals such as mice.

But they are opportunists, and are known to capture bigger creatures such as ducks, depending on how quickly they can move.

ENDS