Otters just loving ‘De Banks’

LIKE the fox, it seems the otter is also adapting to living in urban areas, including Cork City where they are seen regularly at night on the River Lee.

It comes out mainly after dark, which probably explains why so many people, even denizens of the city, have never seen one.

We’re assured, however, they are in Cork, as evidenced by a recent call from the National Parks and Wildlife Service that an otter holt (burrow) be protected during an upcoming upgrade of the Dunkettle roundabout.

Anglers also report an increased presence of otters in rivers which, they say, is a sign of cleaner, healthier water.

Experts such as Paddy Sleeman, of the UCC zoology department, and Peter Moore, of the biology department, University of Newcastle Upon on Tyne, have surveyed otters in Cork. All suitable waters in the city were studied in 2004 and holts were found in four sites, all in wooded areas.

They stress, however, that being an otter in Cork is very risky, with deaths from poisoning, road accidents, the odd oil spill and changes in sewage disposal.

Messrs Sleeman and Moore believe the city’s otter population needs to be boosted up by others from different areas. On a positive side, they believe the otter has a self-sustaining future in the city, all depending on cleaner waters.

Ireland is believed the have the densest otter population in Europe, with studies showing the animal to be present in over 90% of riverbanks, lakeshores and coastal areas.

However, it is in serious decline on the continent of Europe. For that reason the Irish otter is of international importance They have been reported in Cork City since the 1960s, not surprising give the city’s coastal and river location. Some people believe otters are disturbed by human activity, but the fact they are still around the city contradicts that view.

The otter, which can be mistaken for a seal, is about a metre in length and a very strong swimmer with a long tail that acts as a rudder. It is a member of a family that includes the badger, stoat, pine marten and mink. It is also territorial in attitude and a strong animal, which leads some nature observers to believe it could become an enemy of mink and thus help control them.

A handy way of learning of their presence is their droppings which consist almost entirely of undigested fish bones, scales, feathers, small animal bones and insect particles, held together by black, tarry mucous.