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Environmental Center “Ozone” ap. 24, Geroev Truda Sreet 33-d, Kharkov, 61136, Ukraine. Nongovernmental Organization Environmental Center “Ozone” Action Plan for the protection of Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in Kharkov region Compiled by Eugeny Skorobogatov with the collaboration of Mikhail Banik Kharkov - 2009 2 1. Introduction Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) is listed in IUCN Red List (NT), European Red List (V) and Ukrainian Red List (II). Nevertheless, the true status of Otter population in Ukraine is completely unknown as the last Otter survey was made in 1959. There were no special surveys of the state of otter populations in Ukraine in following years. Periodically some data were provided by hunters though scanty and of low reliability. However, the process of slow natural dispersion has been continued and it was evident that the species colonised a lot of water bodies in Ukraine to 2007 year. Nevertheless, there were virtually no solid data to estimate the status of the species in Ukraine even roughly. In 2007-2008 years a project “River Otter in Kharkov region” was implemented (owing to the financial support from Rufford Small Grants Scheme) which enables to estimate the status of Eurasian Otter in Kharkov region, Ukraine. 2. Background information Distribution and population Only own data were used to estimate the state of Eurasian Otter population in Kharkov region because the latest previous review was dated 1959 year. The current numbers of Eurasian Otter population in Kharkov region are estimated at approximately 120 individuals. Though the numbers are low, Eurasian Otter inhabits almost any river or reservoir in the region but the distribution is rather irregular. The highest numbers were recorded for Seversky Donets river e.g. 0,8 ind. per 10 km of bank line. In small rivers in steppe zone (Britay, Orel’ka, Orel’ rivers) the numbers were about 0,6 ind./ 10 km. The lowest numbers were recorded in small rivers in foreststeppe zone e.g. 0,4 ind./ 10 km (Merla, Gomilsha, Mzha rivers). Life history Description Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra L., 1758) are medium-sized (5-13 kg) semi-aquatic territorial carnivores which feed mainly on aquatic prey and whose habitat is usually linked to the existence of relatively clean freshwater, available shelter (riparian vegetation, rocky structures and others) and abundant prey. The Eurasian Otter has a slender body covered in dense fur, which is mostly brown, paler on the belly and cream-coloured on the chin and throat. Otters live and forage alongside wetland habitats such as rivers, ponds. They are mainly nocturnal and feed on fish, amphibians, shellfish and occasionally birds and small mammals. Otters live in underground dens called holts, which are often situated amongst the roots of bankside trees, within caves, log piles or holes between rocks. Otters defend territories up to 40 km long depending on food availability and mark their territorial boundaries with small piles of their dung known as spraints. Threats and limiting factors Habitat changes To the time no specific limiting parameters of the habitat which can affect habitat selectivity of the species have been revealed both in Ukrainian and in overseas studies. Presumably, Nongovernmental Organization Environmental Center “Ozone” App.24, Geroev Truda Sreet 33-d, Kharkov, 61136, Ukraine. Tel.: +380 572 690 690 e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 3 disturbance of the hydrological regime or climatic changes can affect Otter populations only indirectly through impact on the prey of the species e.g. fish and amphibians. Priority: MEDIUM Fishing Eurasian Otter is a mainly piscivorous species and, therefore, the possibility for otter family to live on a certain site of a river or reservoir as well as the size of family is governed by the state of fish stock within the site. Thus, uncontrolled fishing which depletes fish stock affects otters negatively. The use of fish nets on a river or pond poses no direct threat to these animals. But electrofishing (widely applied and the most destroying poacher guns) leads to traumatisation of both juvenile and adult otters. Priority: HIGH Environmental ignorance in local people Environmental ignorance and indifference to environmental problems in local people are among main causes for the current low numbers of otter, slow expansion in last decades and possible stop in range expansion in recent times. The problems of poaching and depletion of fish stock in Kharkov region which were mentioned above are also the results of the indifference of local people to wild nature. Another product of environmental ignorance and lack of knowledge on otter ecology is that local people blame otters for fish decline in rivers and for substantial economic losses in commercial fishery. As a result, fishpond managers and local fishers often hunt on otters. Priority: HIGH The current state and recent protection measures Eurasian Otter is listed in IUCN Red List (NT), European Red List (V) and Ukrainian Red List (II). There were no information on the state of Eurasian Otter in Kharkov region till special survey of 2007-2008 years. There were no special envisaged or implemented protection measures targeted at this species. Aim and objectives Aim To eliminate the existing threats and to create favourable conditions for well-being and further natural dispersion of Eurasian Otter in rivers and reservoirs in Kharkov region. Objectives 1. Policy and law 1.1. To encourage in every possible way any actions which are favourable for otter wellbeing in Kharkov region. 1.1.1. To promote the implementation of the regional Action Plan for Eurasian Otter. Nongovernmental Organization Environmental Center “Ozone” App.24, Geroev Truda Sreet 33-d, Kharkov, 61136, Ukraine. Tel.: +380 572 690 690 e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 4 It’s necessary to formulate clearly the set of actions for this plan including designation of the organisations which will be responsible for the implementation of certain action. Priority: HIGH Time span: SHORT 1.1.2. To toughen (to maximise) the responsibility for violating environmental laws. Priority: HIGH. Time span: SHORT. 1.1.3. Reliability of environmental information. To attract scientific groups and organisations (being involved in research activity in ecology and having enough experience) to the control of the state of protected areas, certain communities or animal & plant species with an aim of getting reliable data. The attraction of such organisations should be done on mutually beneficial grounds according to Ukrainian laws in force. Priority: HIGH (NECESSARY) Time span: SHORT / LASTING 2. Control and research 2.1. Long-term monitoring It’s necessary to launch a long-term monitoring programme for Eurasian Otter distribution and numbers in Kharkov region to reveal the trends and to control the efficiency of protection measures. 2.1.1. To use a standard survey method of sampling points (Shanin 2000; Breaux et al. 2002) to obtain the results which will be comparable with the data gathered within the framework of “River Otter in Kharkov region” projects and with the results of similar studies in other countries. Priority: HIGH Time span: LONG 2.1.2. To find more distinct signs pointing to boundary-marking behaviour within family (or individual) home ranges of otters. To fulfil this task it’s necessary to organise lasting control within home ranges along Merla, Orel’, Gomolsha rivers. It’s recommended to use the method of winter tracking as an alternative tool for otter surveys. Priority: HIGH Time span: LONG 2.2. Estimation and monitoring of the state of food supply 2.2.1. To estimate the qualitative and quantitative composition of the food supply (fish stock) for Eurasian Otter in rivers and reservoirs in Kharkov region. The analysis of the fish stock should be done on those sites being within individual home ranges of otters (as indicated in the report on ‘River Otter in Kharkov region’ project) as well as on sites where there are no signs of otter presence. Nongovernmental Organization Environmental Center “Ozone” App.24, Geroev Truda Sreet 33-d, Kharkov, 61136, Ukraine. Tel.: +380 572 690 690 e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 5 Priority: HIGH Time span: SHORT 2.2.2. To launch a survey of qualitative and quantitative composition of otter diet at commercial fishponds with an aim to estimate the impact of otter predation on commercial fishery. Priority: HIGH Time span: SHORT 2.3. To investigate thoroughly flood-plain sites inhabited by otters and those sites where there are no signs of otter presence with an aim to reveal factors influencing habitat preferences of the species. Priority: MEDIUM Time span: MIDDLE 3. Public awareness 3.1. To rise public awareness of the value of Eurasian Otter and its habitats. 3.1.1. To organise educational campaign in form of “Otter’s Day” in all schools in Kharkov region. Priority: HIGH Time span: SHORT / LASTING 3.1.2. To encourage local public environmental organisations to perform actions aimed at protection of otter and its habitats. Priority: HIGH Time span: LASTING 3.1.3. To organise educational campaign targeted at managers and owners of commercial fishponds. To familiarise these people with the results of the survey of otter diet. To establish and maintain contacts with fishpond managers with an aim of timely detection of conflicts in human-otter relationships. Priority: HIGH Time span: LASTING Nongovernmental Organization Environmental Center “Ozone” App.24, Geroev Truda Sreet 33-d, Kharkov, 61136, Ukraine. Tel.: +380 572 690 690 e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 6 REFERENCES 1. Breaux, A., Zielinski, W. & Kucera, T. 2002. Data Collection Protocol Monitoring River Otter (Lutra [= Lontra] canadensis). Wetlands Regional Monitoring Program Plan 2002. Part 2: Data Collection Protocols. San Francisco Estuary Institute. 2. Chanin, P. 2003. Monitoring the Otter Lutra lutra. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Monitoring Series No. 10. English Nature, Peterborough. 3. Zhyla, S. 2004. Eurasian Otter in Ukraine (in Russ.). 4. Kolesnikov, M.A., Kondratenko, A.V. 2004. Current state of the populations of rare carnivores of Mustelidae family in South-eastern Ukraine. (in Russ.). 5. Korneev. 1959. Eurasian Otter in Ukraine (in Russ.). 6. Panov, G.M. 2002. Range dynamics and numbers of semi-aquatic fur mammals in Ukraine in the second half of XX century (in Ukr.). 7. Rozhenko, N.V. 2004. The dynamics and current state of the fauna of carnivorous mammals in Dniester and Danube deltas (in Russ.). 8. Teresa Sales Luis. 2005. Niche breadth and patterns of distribution and abundance of Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra Linnaeus, 1758) in southern Portugal: Conservation implications. 9. Preston, J., Prodohl, P., Portig, A., Montgomery, I. 2004 Reassessing Otter Lutra lutra distribution in Northern Ireland. Environment and Heritage Service, Belfast. 10. Adrian Lloyd Jones. 2002. Species Action Plan. Otter. 11. Barbosa, A.M., Real, R., Ma´ rquez, A.L., Rendo´ n, M.A., 2001. Spatial, environmental and human in.uences on the distribution of otter (Lutra lutra) in the Spanish provinces. Diversity and Distributions 7, 137–144. 12. Red Data Book of Russian Federation (Animals) (2001). (in Russ.). 13. Scherbak, M.M. (ed.). 1994. Red Data Book of Ukraine. Animals. (in Ukr.). 14. IUCN 2002. 2002 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Nongovernmental Organization Environmental Center “Ozone” App.24, Geroev Truda Sreet 33-d, Kharkov, 61136, Ukraine. Tel.: +380 572 690 690 e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]