Otters
An Environment Agency survey has revealed that otters are becoming more and more widespread in the rivers of England.
May 2003 saw the launch of the Fourth Otter Survey of England (2000-2002) which reports the findings of a comprehensive two-year otter surveillance programme carried out on major rivers throughout the country.
The survey shows that signs of otter presence have been spotted at 55% more locations than in the previous survey (1991-94) and at a massive 527% more locations than when the first survey was carried out in 1977-79.
In short, welcome findings. So, for details of the report, general facts on otters and a look at the otter situation in your own region, click on the links below:
- Otter survey - main findings
How quickly are otters returning to the rivers of England? And is this trend the same throughout the country? - Otter R&D
Find out what other otter projects the Agency is involved with. - Speeding the otter recovery
Andrew Crawford, author of the survey, explains what the results tell us and what remains to be still found out. - Otters in your area
Is there a thriving otter population near you? A look at the otter survey region by region... - The International Otter Survival Fund
IOSF is dedicated to the conservation of all 13 species of otter worldwide. We safeguard areas of good habitat and support people working in research and rehabilitation worldwide. - Otters - the facts
How long do otters live? What do they eat? How big are they? These, and many other facts... - Otter spotter
Know your spraints from your scats - a brief guide to observing otters. - Otter timeline
Some of the major ups and downs for the English otter over the last 50 years. - Otters online
Get a lutra lutra knowledge from some more otter websites - Fourth Otter Survey of England 2000-2002 (Acrobat, 956KB, 8 mins)
Fourth Otter Survey of England 2000-2002
