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Otters return to the rivers of Cheshire.28/03/2009 07:40:47 Cheshire Wildlife Trust has welcomed the return of otter populations to the region. Thanks in part to the conservation work undertaken by the Trust, otters are gradually appearing more frequently throughout Cheshire’s waterways. Evidence of the shy and endearing Eurasian Otter is now being found in areas where their presence hadn't been recorded for many years. Evidence is particularly strong along the main river catchments in Cheshire and Wirral, with the River Weaver around Nantwich, the River Gowy and the River Dee particularly active otter areas. Since 1994, much conservation effort in Cheshire has been directed at restoring otter populations. Between 1994 and 2001, as part of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s Otters and Rivers Project, extensive otter survey work was carried out as well the building of artificial otter holts at a number of sites along Cheshire’s waterways. Eurasian otter fast facts.
 In recent years, the Trust has monitored otter activity using remote-controlled, infra-red video cameras, installed on secure sites where recent signs of otters have been found. The project will also help to raise awareness of the otter, which is native to the UK and where it is afforded complete statutory protection due to its scarce status. Given the extremely secretive nature of otters, video footage obtained by the project will offer many more people the chance to see Cheshire otters up close and potentially online. Charlotte Harris, from Cheshire Wildlife Trust said, "It is vital that we continue to improve conditions for otters over the coming years, particularly if we want to see healthy breeding populations locally. The gradual return of the Otter shows us that with careful planning and an environmental commitment we can turn around the fortunes of our wildlife." If you would like to get involved in volunteering to support local wildlife, contact Cheshire Wildlife Trust on 01948 820728. Courtesy of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.
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Read the comments about this article and leave your own comment
Can anyone tell me what happens to the otters once they have cleared all the fish out of a stretch like byley bridge /cotton farm ? Do they move to another area , I'm curious because the river Dane is a small river with limited fish stock or do we restock the larder so to speak ?
Posted by: Dunc | 02 Mar 2013 19:58:12
Perhaps your facts are wrong
Posted by: Jason Dunn | 21 Sep 2012 00:42:56
Eric, if we're counting the pike, why not count the grey seal as the largest native British carnivore? In fact, why not count cetaceans?
Posted by: Jason Dunn | 21 Sep 2012 00:42:23
Firstly, your Fast Facts about otters are wrong. The pike is the largest native British carnivore, reaching more than four feet in length and weighing up to fifty pounds.
Secondly, the river Weaver which is mentioned in this article has just suffered a massive pollution. Reports are that all the fish between Natwich and Northwich have been wiped out. If otters were in the area they will either starve or move.
When the perpetrators of this vile crime are identified the Angling Trust will sue them to recover the losses suffered by the many angling clubs in the area and only then will those clubs be able to afford the huge cost of restocking.
There should be something for the otters to eat in about five years time.
Posted by: Eric Edwards | 21 Aug 2012 17:17:55
Apologies, if this is the wrong site to report this but thought someone may like to be aware of this
Posted by: pat wallace | 26 Jun 2012 06:42:52
Hello, Saw a very sad sight on route to work this morning. A very large otter on the hard shoulder for the M4 between junction at Chippenham & Bath West bound 6.30 am. It did not appear have any major injuries but I can only assume it was very quick.
Posted by: pat wallace | 26 Jun 2012 06:39:48