Environment Agency Wales has published the full findings of its latest otter survey – nine out of every ten sites surveyed across Wales are now showing signs of otters, compared to only two out of ten in 1978.

The ‘Otter Survey of Wales 2009-10’ reveals otters are now present at around 1000 sites in Wales, as evidenced by the species’ distinctive (jasmine tea scented) droppings known as ‘spraints’, and their five toe footprints. The survey is the fifth of its kind designed to track the presence of otters (as opposed to their number), with the last survey in 2002.

The findings reveal the otter population in Anglesey has expanded to cover around 67 per cent of sites, including new sites in the west and north of the island, compared to only 18 per cent in 2002. In west Wales the Rivers Cleddau, Teifi, Tywi and Loughor were found to be highly populated by otters, as were the upper Severn and upper Wye in mid Wales.

In south east Wales the Usk, Taff and Mid Glamorgan rivers all showed impressive improvement since the 2002 survey. In Mid Glamorgan there was a leap from 18 per cent  of sites occupied by otters in 2002 to 70 per cent in 2010. In the River Taff and River Ely, otters can now be found in the middle of Cardiff. And they appear to be using many of the rivers of the valleys, despite humans living and working nearby.

The Agency attributes the otters’ return to a ban on pesticides, coupled with the introduction of legal protection for the otter and a dramatic improvement in water quality in Welsh rivers.

Environment Agency Wales’ biodiversity officer Rob Strachan said:

“The otter is an important biological indicator of the health of our rivers and wetlands. Monitoring its status gives us a valuable measure of how well our water environment is faring.

“Such an increase in otter distribution represents a significant increase in the number of otters on the rivers and wetlands of Wales.

“Our rivers are the healthiest they’ve been for 20 years but we continue to monitor them and to deliver further improvements under the Water Framework Directive. Challenges lie ahead in maintaining this good work but our survey shows a major success story for pollution control, as well as investment by the water industry and efforts by landowners and river managers.  We must continue to work together to ensure the otter remains the emblem of a healthy water environment.”

The Water Framework Directive sets new and more challenging standards for Wales’ rivers and other water bodies to benefit people and wildlife, placing greater emphasis on the ecological status of the water environment.

Over 100 people helped deliver the ‘Otter Survey of 2009-10’ including staff from Environment Agency Wales, the Wildlife Trusts and officers working under various local authorities’ biodiversity action plans.