Otters and Rivers Project

The first direct involvement of the Wildlife Trusts network was for the first comprehensive survey of Wales in 1977 as part of the Joint Otter Group.

In 1988, this group was renamed the Otters and Rivers Project and its aims were expanded to protect and enhance wetland habitats, as well as conserving and encouraging natural otter populations. This was identified as the best contribution the Trusts could make to otter conservation in the UK.

The project was initially targeted at key river catchments. The partnership approach was extended to otter forums to involve river managers, anglers, water authorities and the Environment Agency.

The Wildlife Trusts can integrate the work of the otter groups with other initiatives and campaigns to effectively manage and protect all of our wetlands habitats.

The Dorset Otter Group is fully supported by the Dorset Wildlife Trust and continues to provide valuable distribution data to the Dorset Environmental Records Centre. We continue to develop the initial aims of the project and apply them to promoting otters and managing their habitat.