PRESS RELEASE

1 June 2007

Otter caught on camera in Cheshire
Cheshire Wildlife Trust releases exclusive film footage of an otter in Cheshire

An otter has taken the starring role in Cheshire Wildlife Trust's Otter Video Monitoring Project providing concrete evidence of the species' presence in Cheshire. Otters are exceedingly rare in Cheshire, so this really is reason to celebrate.

The Otter Video Monitoring Project began last year to gain more information about otters in Cheshire and was made possible through funding from the Environment Agency, Chester Zoo and the Sandstone Ridge ECO-net Partnership (SREP). The project has been a real success story, new potential natural resting sites (known as holts) have been found, and now there is the first film footage of a live otter in Cheshire!

The imagery of the otter was captured during May on the River Gowy during which the curious creature is clearly seen having a good look at the camera equipment. As far as Cheshire Wildlife Trust knows this is the first footage of an otter in Cheshire. The exact location is being kept secret to prevent disturbance to otters, which are protected under both UK and European legislation.

Eleanor Kean, who has been overseeing the project on behalf of Cheshire Wildlife Trust, comments, “Otters are now making a come back to many areas of England and we are delighted to have them in Cheshire. More work is needed to improve otter habitat in the county but the evidence from this project demonstrates we're on the right tracks.”

Graham Fitzgerald from the Environment Agency adds, “ It's wonderful to see one of Cheshire's rarest animals on film for the first time. The growing number of otters in Cheshire is testament the continuing improvements to water quality and habitat in the area. The Environment Agency relies on partnership projects like this to help us continue to make an enhanced environment for wildlife. ”

Otters were once found throughout the UK but suffered huge declines in the 1950's and 60's due to the use of organochlorine pesticide chemicals. The loss of suitable habitat through the poor management of rivers, and their banksides, has also contributed to their decline.

There are several cameras installed at different locations around the county. Traditional survey methods only tell us when otters are present, but by using cameras we can identify individual animals, and hope to record juveniles which would tell us that otters are, once again, breeding in Cheshire. The project will help raise awareness and give more people a chance to have a look at one of the UK's largest carnivore in Cheshire.

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