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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
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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]
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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]
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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]
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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]