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Hey Otters,
yesterday we had a great time at ottercine. There was one question in the chat, which stuck to me: What does being/becoming a certtified otter-spotter entail?
I´ll give some context here, this is part one:
First, there are good news: the Eurasian Otter populations are on the rise. Once almost extinct in major parts of europe, he is back. But there are some challenges:
1. Habitat loss: The good thing is, there is no shortage of Otters, but a shortage of habitats. Eurasian Otters are solitary animals, they only enter another otters territory for mating. But as every Otter should have his own territory, there are not enough suitable landscapes.
2. Human-made dangers: Our modern infrastructure can be hazardous for Otters. As an Otter travels through rivers, to find a new territory or a mate, he needs to cross bridges. They can be a problem, as the otter likes to place spraints at the highest point possible, which is the top of the bridge, where the street is. This often gets the otter killed by traffic. Sometimes there even are no bridges, just a pipe under a road, too narrow or too flooded for otters to pass. This leaves them the only option to cross this section by entering the road.
3. Traffic: I described, why the otter crosses roads, now, what do the numbers say? As Otter the population grows, so are the number of Otters killed by traffic. This still is one of the biggest causes of Otter death in nature.
4. Other dangers:
fish traps: the traditional ones cannot be escaped by the otter, so he drowns in them. (Good news: the Otterzentrum Hankensbüttel helped to design "Otter friendly" fish traps, which have an exit for the Otter, only he can open. Still, this new design is still not used enough.)
Poor to bad water quality: in some regions the water quality is still not good enough to support life. This is true close to cities, where sewer overflows are regularly happening after strong rainfalls. This pollutes rivers with raw sewage, which is toxic to ...
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Part two:
Otter Spotters
What can be done, to make life better for otters? This is where Otter spotters are important. We collect data in the field in two ways:
1. random findings: If I´m out in nature, I look for otter signs, such as footprints and spraints. If I find something, I document it by photo or video and enter it into this database: https://www.otterspotter.de/
The good news is: you don´t need to be a certified otter spotter to enter random findings. If you find something, just enter it here.
2. IUCN-Standartized method: this method is applied by otter spotters all throughout europe. There are pre-defined points of interest, which are checked for otter signs in regular intervals. For example, this can be a part of a river, with a bridge. Here only a 600m long downstrem section gets checked, it´s either positive or negative. This method requires some more advanced training, thus, you need to be an otter spotter.
Why is all of that necessary?
1. Keeping track of otter populations: where is the otter now? Science needs this data to better understand the behavior of our Eurasian Otter.
2. Eliminating hazards for the otter: If otter presence is verified by otter spotters, it may be possible to get government funding for making briges more otter friendly and as such, roads safer.
3. Creating safe-spaces: if Otters are positively identified in one area, it even may become a nature reserve.
In the next part, I´ll describe what otter spotter training looks like. Stay tuned!
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Part three:
Becoming an Otter Spotter
I registered for the Otter Spotter course at Otterzentrum Hankensbüttel.
This course takes two days.
Last weekend there were over thirty otter interested people of all ages from all over Germany and the Netherlands in Hankensbüttel.
On the first day, we learned a lot about Otter biology and behavior. In theory and practical.
Makes sense, as there were live Eurasian Otters right in the Backyard!
The second day was about finding signs of Otter presence in the field. How to find clues and how to document them.
Also, the IUCN-Standard method was introduced. And yes- you get to smell the spraints! But once you get that smell,
you´ll definetly recognize it in the field. It´s very fishy, with a destinct anise or licorice smell to it.
As practical lessons, we entered an Otter enclosure in small groups to search for spraints and footprints.
The otters were there, too, but were completely unbothered. They briefly watched us and continued ottering around in their pool.
For context: Otterzentrum Hankensbüttel is not your average zoo with classic enclusures.
All mustelids are living in large enclosures which look a lot like their natural habitat, with woodland, ponds, rivers and plenty of hiding spaces. As a visitor, you really need to mind the feeding times, otherwise there is a chance, you don´t see any mustelids. No animal is forced to be on display for visitors.
After getting some experience in an controlled environment such as an otter enclosure, where you´ll definetly find something,
we drove to the river Ise and searched a bridge for otter signs. And found some!
Fresh footprints and spraints. It´s so cool to find something by yourself, I personally try to imagine how the otter was roaming arond
that place.
After two days of otter fun you get your certificate and are an official otter spotter!
Thanks for sharing all this! And congratulations on the certificate.
How much does it cost to become an otter spotter?
And how is the accomidation in the Otterzentrum during the course?
The course costs 100€ for non-members and 50€ for members of Aktion Fischotterschutz. Students get a 10% discount.
Things you need to pay extra: Lunch at the Otterzentrums own Restaurant (if you´re there, you NEED to try it, it is absolutely delicious!) as well as accomodation, which is not at Otterzentrum and have to organize yourself. Drinks, Coffee as well as cake are included in the costs and are available during the course.
Accomodation in the Otterzentrum are only for people serving a voluntary service year.
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