Otter History

Modern conservation values have only been developed in the late 20th century through the hard work of organisations such as the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Consequently modern survey data is not available before the first otter project.

However data is available to give an idea of otter numbers and distribution from other sources. Before the decline of otter numbers, hunting was an acceptable form of sport and control of a common species, and these hunts kept logs. Also water bailiffs, naturalists and water authorities had otter population knowledge. These combined don’t give a complete picture of this elusive mammal but it does indicate regional differences and overall population trends.

The Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975 was introduced with protection afforded to otters due to their reduced distribution.

All survey methods have limitations and our groups survey techniques are no exception to this. Whilst our distribution maps suggest a countywide distribution of otters, we are unable to determine exact numbers. For this other more involved methods must be tried but the success of different techniques depends on the species. The groups otter video was produced in an effort to see how many otters were present at that location. Another technique has been tried in Devon to track otters by DNA analysis, using tissues samples from otter spraint.

These sources show a sudden decline in otter populations nationally from the mid 1950’s, which coincides with the incidence of organochlorine pesticides. The lowest population is thought to have been in around 1980 and has improved in many areas since then.