Anja Murray: How community-driven conservation action can help Irish otter populations

Right now, otters are birthing their tiny cubs in sheltered, underground natal dens, sometimes near the waters where they normally live, though natal dens can be as much as a kilometre away from the waterway

Anja Murray: "Ireland’s ongoing struggle with water pollution — driven largely by nutrient enrichment from intensive agriculture - is now seriously jeopardising the viability of webs of life." Picture: iStock.

Across much of Continental Europe, otter numbers have plummeted. England, Scotland and Wales have all seen dramatic declines too. 

Yet here, in Ireland, these gorgeous aquatic mammals are managing to hold their ground. Despite declining water quality in recent times, Ireland's rivers, lakes and coastal shallows now support one of Europe’s strongest remaining otter populations.