Wild Lines Otter Christmas Card

The UK’s only otter, the native Eurasian otter, is a solitary and extremely elusive species. The metre-long, semi-aquatic mammal disappeared from most of England in the 1950s to 70s due to a decline in water quality. It began to recover when legislation came into effect that banned the use of many harmful organochlorine pesticides.

To bolster their recovery, otters were reintroduced to suitable areas and habitats enhanced with artificial holts. Though they are still under threat, the otter’s conservation story is a positive one and is often used as an example of conservation success in the UK. Populations are continuing to recover slowly but surely.