Fossils of wolf-sized otter unearthed in China

Siamogale melilutra, which grew up to 2 metres long, frolicked in the country's south-western wetlands about 6.2m years ago

Scientists have unearthed fossils of an otter as big as a wolf that frolicked in rivers and lakes in a lush, warm and humid wetlands region in south-western China about 6.2m years ago.

The outsized otter, called Siamogale melilutra, weighed about 50kg (110lb) and measured up to 2 metres (6.5ft) long, making it bigger than any of its cousins alive today, the researchers said on Monday.