Otters
The closing lines of ‘Tarka The Otter’, by Henry Williamson, remain as fresh in my mind today as they were around forty years ago when I finished reading. Since then, I’ve read Gavin Maxwell’s ‘Ring Of Bright Water’ trilogy, and remember with clarity some key incidents in the books. As a child, I was an avid viewer of ‘Animal Magic‘, presented by Johnny Morris and Terry Nutkins. The latter had worked as an assistant to Gavin Maxwell in the Scottish Highlands, helping to care for the otters who Maxwell shared his home with. During his time there, Nutkins lost the end of one of his fingers to an otter bite. The combination of literature, personalities, and the mystery around otters themselves led to my early and enduring fascination.
Background
Otters, were persecuted until comparatively recently. Having been widespread until the 1950s, their numbers suffered catastrophic decline through the 1960s. This was in part due to toxic waterways, which were polluted by substances including pesticides, sewage, and fertilisers. Their habitat was destroyed by farming methods, boating, and fishing. Hunting (for fur, ‘sport’, and to protect fish stock) also took its toll.
In January 1978, the otter was considered so rare as to need legal protection. Hunting them with hounds was banned in 1981, although reports suggest that in certain areas hunts continue to operate. Nevertheless, otters remain protected in law under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. They are also listed as Near Threatened on the global Red List of Threatened Species.
About
The otter is a member of the weasel family. Although a land mammal, it has adapted to live in and around the water, and can hold its breath for up to 8 minutes when underwater. Cubs are born between May and August, and usually number 2-3 per litter. With dense fur, webbed feet, and the ability to close ears and nose underwater, the young are ready to leave the holt and enter the water by the age of 10 weeks old. They remain under their mother’s care for the first 10-12 months of life. Reaching over a metre long, including their tail, otters can live up to 10 years.
Having held such an enduring fascination for the secretive creatures, it has been wonderful to find somewhere to see otters in the wild. I watch them for hours.
The Future
Having been almost extinct sixty years ago, otters have made a successful comeback and there are around 11,000 in Great Britain. Wildlife groups have worked to educate land owners about protecting habitats, and riverbank management. Although otters have no natural predators in the UK, they remain under threat from road accidents, pollution, and drowning in traps set for other water creatures.
A more recent threat is the government’s proposal to drop retained EU laws for protecting the environment. Laws at risk include those in place to protect habitats, waterways, and green spaces. Alongside which, large areas of land are proposed to be put forward for unrestricted development. At a time when the climate crisis is unfolding around us, this proposal is understandably receiving significant opposition. Read more, including how to contact your MP here.
To end on a positive note, otters really are the most beautiful, playful creatures. If you have a chance to spend time otter watching, take it. More information, including where wild otters may be seen is available on the Wildlife Trusts’ website. You can also find out more about otters through the Young People’s Trust for the Environment, and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.
As interesting as ever! Gorgeous photos and definitely worth raising the current ‘environmental’ issue.
Thank you. It seems so wrong that environmental issues are politicised. Planetary protection should be a unified ambition across nations, not used to make political points. All of which will be irrelevant if climate change isn’t slowed very quickly.
Another beautifully written article Emma. Otters are just magical to watch (I’ve never been fortunate enough to see them in the wild though). It’s hard to read what a difficult time they have had and the government position on the protection of the environment and wildlife is hugely frustrating!
Hi Jo. Thank you for reading, and commenting. I don’t think I’d seen otters in the wild until this year, they truly are magical. Unfortunately, the government position seems, as usual, very short-sighted.