The otter returns
19 October 2010
The results of the latest national survey show that the otter is making a dramatic comeback to our rivers and wetlands.
Otter © Michael Hammett
The conservation status of the European otter (Lutra lutra) has been of concern since the 1950s when the species came close to extinction in England. The main reason for the decline in otter numbers appears to have been the use of agricultural pesticides, but since the use of these substances came under stricter control the otter population has slowly recovered.
The results of the 5th Otter Survey (2009-2010) now show a significant increase in the distribution of this species, with signs of otters at 58.8% of the sites surveyed. This compares with signs of otters at only 5.8% of sites in the 1st Otter Survey (1977-1979), and 36.3% of sites in the 4th (2000-2002) survey.
Summary of the results of the latest Otter Survey and a copy of the full report
(Environment Agency)
Apart from the control of damaging pesticides, the recovery of otters has been helped by improvements in habitat quality and by its legal protection: currently otters are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2010) and the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), as amended.
Since the publication of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) in 1995 the otter has been a priority conservation species and Natural England has contributed to its recovery through its work with the Environment Agency, the Wildlife Trusts, the Otter Trust and others.
In the early 1980s, the Nature Conservancy Council (now Natural England) worked with the Otter Trust to develop a reintroduction programme to support the declining otter population; the Trust eventually releasing 117 individuals between 1983 and 1999, mostly on rivers in East Anglia rivers. These reintroductions ceased after signs that otters were recovering naturally. Natural England now primarily supports the Otter BAP, through agri-environment schemes, by advising on and funding work to improve wetland habitat carried out by landowners and managers.
Natural England has contributed to Otters – the Facts (PDF), a publication that outlines the recovery of the otter population with particular reference to freshwater fisheries.
