Otter spotted at Newport city centre redevelopment site

January 2008. An otter has been spotted metres away from one of Newport city centre’s redevelopment sites.

Paul Gallagher, a Landscape Architect for Newport City Council, spotted the otter while carrying out routine assessment work at Newport’s new Riverside Park. Fortunately, he had a video camera to record the moment, the footage of which is now available on YouTube.

Paul said: ‘It was fitting to see the otter on the site as the park is being designed with a specific emphasis on protecting otter habitat.’

Dr Dolores Byrne, Biodiversity Officer for Newport City Council, said: ‘The main purpose of the Riverside Park is to provide a buffer zone between development work in Newport and the important wildlife of the River Usk. The footage emphasises the importance of this buffer and the need to protect this special habitat.’

Sue Howard, Cardiff and Newport Team Leader for the Countryside Council for Wales, said: ‘The Countryside Council for Wales has been working closely with Newport City Council to ensure otters are not affected by the on-going development work in the area. The footage is a great reminder to all of the benefits of working closely together.’

The River Usk is one of Wales’ most important habitats for otter. On-going conservation work has been carried out along the river, aimed at protecting these rare and secretive creatures. This work has included monitoring the otter population every six years, carrying out regular surveys through wildlife groups and volunteers and building otter holts and passes.