Ongoing pilot study for health investigations on Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in Schleswig-Holstein

[Translate to English:] Überfahrener Fischotter am Straßenrand
Project leader: Prof. Prof. h. c. Dr. Ursula Siebert
Contact person: Lotte Caecilia Striewe
Project term: July 2021-July 2023
Sponsorship: Ministry of Energy, Agriculture, the Environment, Nature and Digitalisation (MELUND)

Project description

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) population is still recolonizing large areas of Germany and nowadays inhabits almost all parts of the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein (SH). In the context of rising otter numbers, various conflicts appear on the agenda, such as road traffic as the main cause of death of otters, contamination of water bodies or the interface between fisheries and otter protection. Otters found dead can play a valuable role to answer various scientific questions, as many aspects of the ecology and behavior of this strictly protected and highly elusive species still remain cryptic. Within the first two successful years of a pilot study starting in 2019, a wide network of collaborators was established, who strategically collect all otters found dead in SH and hand them over to ITAW for examination. Over 90 otters from the years 2015-20 (some were stored from previous years) have already been examined. During the standardized post mortem examinations the age and sex of all animals, as well as the nutritional status, are determined and all abnormalities are recorded. Further, a whole spectrum of diagnostics is undertaken, including: histology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, population genetics, dietary analysis, reproduction analysis and to some extent contaminant analysis. This allows an extensive insight into the current population health status of Eurasian otters. All findings together build a solid base for species protection measures, management decisions and conflicts of interests. The continuation of the project for initially two years is an important step to guarantee a long term data collection and to assess possible population trends of the otter population.

 

Contact person

Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover
Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research
Werftstr. 6
25761 Büsum

Lotte Caecilia Striewe

Phone: +49 (0)511-8568180
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