Research

Otter Surveys of the North West Scottish Islands

Between 1995 and 2003, otter surveys were conducted on 11 islands off the north west coast of Scotland. These located holts in a 100-metre-wide strip along the coasts of these islands. The information was then used to calculate the total number of holts for each island, and from that the adult otter population for each island was calculated... more

IOSF report on the Otter Fur Trade

In the past concern about trade in skins and body parts has been largely concentrated on large fauna such as tigers, leopards and rhino and there has been much public outcry and conservation effort to protect these species. However smaller species, such as the otter, have been overlooked and their exploitation has gone largely unnoticed. Nevertheless trade in otter skins is extensive and is usually a part of the whole illegal wildlife trade operation. more

The IOSF Otter Toxicology conference

It is over ten years since a group of us thought there was a need to bring together those people throughout Europe who have been involved in otter toxicology. We felt it would be a good idea to get together... more

How to build an Otter Holt

Carefully sited and constructed artificial holts may encourage otters to recolonise and breed along stretches of waterways from which they are at present absent.

Where to build them: Careful site selection is required to avoid unnecessary wastage of effort and money. However, the criteria for selecting sites are, as yet, poorly investigated. Good places for the establishment... more