Nature features

There's evidence that otters have returned to areas of Notts, why had they become extinct in the first place?

Otters had disappeared from our county as a result of a combination of pressures such as hunting, pollution and poor water quality.

The first signs of a recovery came in 2000 when our Otters and Rivers Project Officer found evidence at Attenborough Nature Reserve and other sites, including some near Newark. 

What have you been doing to encourage otters to return?

Thanks to improvements in water quality, brought about by a combination of pressure form environmental groups, new legislation and massive investment by companies such as Severn Trent, otters have thankfully been able to spread out from remaining strongholds in places such as Wales.

Better water quality and a reduced use of poisonous pesticides has meant that otters were able to return.

In order to encourage them to stay and breed we have been restoring and replacing lost habitat such as reed beds.

We have also built a number of artificial otter ‘holts’ or dens to provide them with places to sleep and hide.  

Otters are very elusive animals, have there been many sightings? What evidence do you have that they're breeding in the area?

We have employed a specialist 'Otters Officer' for about five years but in all that time he never actually saw a live otter in Nottinghamshire.

However, he did regularly find evidence such as droppings – known as 'spraints' – and footprints.

So far we have had no conclusive proof of successful breeding in the county but a dead cub was found just over the border in Leicestershire a few years ago, we also have had unconfirmed reports of cubs being seen near Newark.

Otters seem to be a very popular animal, can you explain what their appeal is?

For me it's their grace and personality.

I love the way they glide through the water when hunting fish and the inquisitive way they search the river bank.

They also seem to find time to enjoy life and play.

Whilst many people have a soft spot for otters, they are often surprised to learn that we have them in Nottinghamshire.

Is there anything the public can do to help increase the otter population?

We do a lot of work to create the right habitats for otters and we regularly need volunteers to help with this and other work on our nature reserves – we have also launched a special ‘adopt a species’ campaign so that people can help us raise funds for vital conservation work in the county.

Please tell us about the campaign…

The new campaign is designed to enable people to 'adopt' a range of species such as otters, barn owls, hares and water voles as a way of raising funds to help with the conservation of their habitats.

People who adopt a species will receive a range of materials such as a special fact sheet and a fun 'pop-up' of their chosen creature.

All the money raised will be invested in our conservation work across Nottinghamshire.

Further details can be found on our website: