Otter

Otter (Lutra lutra) are large riparian mammals that are members of the mustelid family which also includes badgers and mink. Individuals have large territories based on rivers, streams and still water bodies such as lakes and ponds, as well as the coastline.

The species is once again thriving in many parts of the country, following its near extinction due to the overuse of pesticides in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Otter primarily eat fish, but will also take crustaceans and young birds.

Legislation

The otter is listed under two Schedules of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the CROW Act 2000). Schedule 5 makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure, take or sell the animal, or parts thereof, or to damage, destroy or obstruct access to its resting places. Schedule 6 of the Act restricts certain methods of killing, taking or injuring. It is listed as globally threatened on the Red Data List (JNCC, 1996).

The otter is listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Annex II of the Bern Convention and Annexes II and IV of the EC Habitats Directive (EC/92/43). It is classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “vulnerable” due to the declining or endangered status of many of its populations.

Licences are required for checking holts or for carrying out work that may disturb otters, such as the management of trees that are known to be used as resting sites. Natural England (NE) and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) are responsible for issuing these licences in England and Wales respectively.

Otter is also listed in Section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000).

Survey

Surveys can be implemented at any time of the year. The survey area is searched for field sign such as spraints, footprints and feeding remains, as well as holts and laying up places. Prominent features along a watercourse , such as large rocks, tree stumps and under bridges, are favoured locations for sprainting.