Otter numbers crashed in the UK becoming locally extinct in much of England by the 1970s. Bans on pesticides, legal protection, improvements in water quality and targeted conservation effort have led to the return of the otter to many counties. However otter recovery has been slow, especially in the north of England.

We are using DNA extracted from otter droppings (spraints) to study the connectivity and seasonality of local otter movements and their diet.

We aim to make recommendations to improve habitat for otters and their prey and identify ways to improve connectivity and so help our recovering otter population.