ENVIRONMENTAL work carried out in Cumbria in the last decade has helped the return of the otter to the county.

England's otters (Lutra lutra) are returning to the land they were driven from nearly 50 years ago, the National Otter Survey for England report reveals.

The report has been published by the Environment Agency and The Wildlife Trusts, with help from water companies and English Nature.

This is the fourth survey of its kind since the late 1970s, has found that the area otters now live in has increased five-fold (527%) in the last 25 years.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust, working with the Environment Agency and English Nature, employed an Otter Project Officer for six years in the early and mid 1990s. The project was active in working with landowners to create safe havens for otters and to reduce otter mortality when numbers were very low. This work combined with efforts to clean-up Cumbria's rivers has led to the continued expansion of the otter in Cumbria.

A total of 322 otter sites were surveyed in the North West, with an increase in positive for signs of otters from

nine to 110 since 1977/79 (from 2.8% to 34.2%). The number of positive otter sites in the North West has continued to rise in recent years from 93 sites in 1991-94 to 119 sites in 2000-2002, an 18% increase.

Otters started to recolonise Cumbria in the late 1980s and have made consistent progress over the last 15 years. Otters now occupy all the main rivers and many tributaries in north and west Cumbria. Otters have colonised the area from the River Eden west into the Derwent catchment and south from there to the Irt and Esk at Ravenglass. Populations are still present but in lower numbers in south Cumbria. North Cumbria is now one of England's strongholds for the otter and recolonisation from west Cumbria across south Cumbria is expected to lead to dramatic increases in populations in Lancashire.

David Harpley, Conservation Manager for the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: "The report shows a welcome recovery for otters in Cumbria and across the UK. It demonstrates that declines can be reversed when different organisations work together to achieve a common goal. It really is excellent news."

The otter's comeback, as indicated by the survey, is based upon a combination of factors including enhanced water quality, local improvements in fish stocks and changes in riverbank management. The otter is an important indicator

of the health of our rivers and wetlands and its gradual recovery highlights the well-being of the water environment

and the animals it supports.

The problems potentially limiting the full recovery of otters in certain areas are pockets of poor water quality, poor riverside habitat, poor fish stocks, building development and high numbers of road deaths.

Anyone who wants to help protect otters should contact Cumbria Wildlife Trust on 01539-816300 to find out how they can get involved with work to enhance habitats.

May 22, 2003 10:00