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Large rivers clean enough for otter

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9th July 2010

Trouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands

(Novum) - Large rivers in the Netherlands are now clean enough for the return of the otter. For almost half a century, the otter disappeared from rivers due to heavy pollution and a drop in fish stocks.  The otter population was already decreasing due to legal and illegal hunting.

Water quality and fish numbers have improved considerably since then, as has become clear from the research of ARK Nature Development, Alterra Wageningen UR and Kurstjens Consultancy. Many water margines have now been transformed into varied natural areas, and barriers to fish migration have been levelled by fish ladders.

The work was done in the areas of Rijntakken and the Meuse valley.   In 2002, otter numbers at the top of Overijssel expanded. They expanded into other habitats, among which the IJsseldal. There is habitat for about thirty otters along the bankds of the IJssel and the Waal. The animals are running more risks, however.  Among other measures, plankways under bridges in combination with screens can help them, according to the research workers.

The research was done for the province of Limburg, the province of Gelderland and the Forestry Commission, with a grant from Waterschap Rivierenland. The report is released on Wednesday.