Otters and Rivers Project
Early years involved walking all the rivers of the south east counties and assessing the actual distribution of the elusive otter. Following this, specific works have been carried out on many river catchments to benefit otters and other wetland wildlife. Currently the project is focusing its work in line with the Biodiversity Action Plan targets set for otters. That is "to restore otters to all sites where they were present prior to 1960". This overall target should be achieved by 2010 but as always resources to aid recovery are limited and we have to compete with similar work and priorities for many other species.
The good news, especially for Hampshire, is that slowly otters are beginning to recover and re-establish themselves on several different rivers. A great deal of work has been carried out throughout the River Itchen Valley where many landowners have been particularly sympathetic to this popular mammal. More information is available about the work being done on the Itchen Navigation. In areas where bankside habitat is at a premium, artificial holts (either underground chambers or wood piles) have been provided as temporary homes for otters. Ponds and ditches have been restored to provide additional foraging areas for otters away from the main stretches of river. All this will help in establishing and maintaining a viable population.
Sadly each year we lose many otters as a direct result of road deaths. Comprehensive surveys have now been carried out at many bridge crossings throughout the county and necessary mitigation will be installed when funding and opportunities arise. However, if an otter death is reported to us, wherever possible we try and retrieve the body to try and learn more about our current otter population. Future additions to this website will include many of the specific projects we are carrying out in connection with wider issues concerned with otters.
