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After an absence of nearly 2 decades otters have returned to the rivers and lakes of Ynys Môn. From the 1950s the otter disappeared from much of the British Isles due to pesticide pollution, habitat loss and land drainage. Since then the pollution problem has eased, allowing the animal to begin a recovery.
Menter Môn, with support from the Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment Agency, commissioned otter expert and Anglesey resident Robert Greig to survey the principal rivers on Anglesey. We were delighted to find evidence of regular use by otters on all the rivers and lakes that Robert looked at. We are now working to secure its permanent re-establishment.
Otter info
Although the pollution problem has eased, suitable riverbank habitat is still a problem on the Island and may prevent otters settling in permanently. So we have established a network of 'holts' at undisturbed locations. These specially constructed riverbank caves will allow the otters to breed in peace. We also have a program of river bank management to create areas of dense cover for otters to use during the day. As the population thrives we very much hope that there will be opportunities for the public to observe these splendid creatures in their natural habitat.
