Onderzoek naar duurzame Otter-populaties (WOT-04-009-034.07, WOT-04-009-043)

The reintroduced otter population has with an estimated size of 450 indivduals (winter 2019/2020) reached the status of a viable population. Important points of attention remain the high traffic mortality and the genetic variation. Therefore, the continuation of the genetic monitoring is focussed on registration of road kills and especially of locations where these occur. By collecting DNA samples from traffic victims we also get information on the trend in the genetic variation within the Dutch otter population. The influx of 'German blood' can be monitored by collecting a set of spraint samples for DNA analyses in certain areas near the Dutch-German border. In cooperation with German colleagues (Senckenberg) information will be exchanged about Dutch otters being identified in Germany and of German otters being identified in the Dutch border region.    

The project provides insight in the factors that form a risk for a sustainable conservation of the Dutch otter population and in measures that are necessary to reduce this risk. This is important to concrete fulfill the obligation within the framework of the EU Habitats directive to offer strict protection to the otter as species of community interest (Annex II).