Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in developing countries: a resurvey of Albania 22 years after the fall of communism

Abstract

In countries with emerging and developing economies the need to promote development and the lack of information on the status of the Near Threatened Eurasian otter Lutra lutra have given rise for concern about the conservation status of the species. In Albania information about the distribution of this otter dates from 1985. In 2013 we resurveyed 31 sites previously surveyed in 1985, and a further 42 sites throughout the country. At each site nine habitat variables of potential importance to otters were recorded and analysed. Overall the distribution pattern in 2013 did not differ from that recorded in 1985, although a reduction in marking intensity suggested a possible decline in otter numbers. Distribution of the otter has been influenced by land use and human density, suggesting man-induced habitat changes since the fall of communism may have affected the quality and fragmentation of otter habitats.

Presence of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra on the islands of Greece: a review

“…comm. in Masseti (1995) River Kalamas in north-western Greece (Galanaki 2015 and the Butrint National Park, a Ramsar site in south Albania (Prigioni et al 1986, IUCN 2012, Balestrieri et al 2016; gene flow between the mainland and Corfu is considered possible.…”

On the occurrence of Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Neeru stream of Chenab catchment, Jammu & Kashmir, India

“…The species is classified as 'Near Threatened' (Loy et al 2022) on the IUCN Red List and is listed in Appendix I of CITES (CITES 2023). The species became extinct in Japan in 1979 (Roos et al 2015;Waku et al 2016) and its populations in Europe and developing Asian countries have drastically declined in recent years (Balestrieri et al 2016;Jha et al 2020). The species is still hunted for their pelt, food, sport, and persecuted as a pest in many Asian countries, particularly China, India, and Nepal (Gomez et al 2016).…”

Past and present: the status and distribution of otters (Carnivora: Lutrinae) in China

“…Otters are top predators in many freshwater ecosystems and serve as indicators of healthy aquatic environments (Kruuk, 2006). In Europe and the Americas they are fairly common research subjects, and flagships for freshwater conservation (Mason & Macdonald, 1986; González & Utrera, 2004; Recharte Uscamaita & Bodmer, 2010; Stevens et al, 2011; Chanin, 2013; Balestrieri et al, 2016). Although Asian otters are in general decline, otters remain relatively widespread and locally common in the Indian Subcontinent and South-east Asia (Raha & Hussain, 2016; Willcox et al, 2016).…”