OTTERS, once on the brink of extinction, are thriving here in Worcestershire.

The furry mammal had been struggling to survive in the wild as their natural habitats were destroyed by intensive farming and pollution. But now, thanks to a range of conservation projects, local populations are on the up.

The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust believes otters are living in almost every waterway in the county.

Earlier this year one otter was spotted happily tucking into an eel at Diglis Basin.

Three more, believed to be a mother and two cubs, were seen at the trust’s private Upton Warren reserve, between Droitwich and Bromsgove, last month. The trust created an otter-friendly wetland habitat in the river Avon at Eckington, near Per-shore, in 1999. There have been numerous sightings in that area since, including otters near Eckington Bridge.

There have also been reports of otters living in the Knapp & Papermill nature reserve in Alfrick.

All these sightings indicate that the quality of Worcestershire's waterways is improving and food, such as fish and small amphibians, is much more plentiful than it was 40 years ago.

Steve Bloomfield, conservation officer for the trust, said: “It’s fantastic that otters are now becoming widespread across the county.

“As the top predator in our water courses, their presence is indicative of a healthy and functioning river network. Food availability and habitat connectivity across Worcestershire is now sufficient enough that the otter population can expand into new territories. But they’re still thinly distributed and hard to spot.”

Shy otters rarely make public appearances, which makes it even more difficult for wildlife groups to track them.

They rely on tell-tale signs such as footprints and faeces, known as spraint.

Spraint is black and tar-like when fresh, unlike mink droppings which are twisted and emit a foul odour.

Mink are rife in Worcestershire and, unlike native otters, cause havoc on the existing wildlife populations.

The public should report sightings to the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre by calling 01905 759759.

The centre is working with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust to build up a picture of otter populations across the county.

Otters: the facts

  • Otters are semi-aquatic mammals that feed on fish, but sometimes amphibians, birds and smaller mammals.
  • An otter’s den is called a holt.
  • European otters have sharp claws, while sea otters have long, muscular tails.
  • They have a very soft underfur which is protected by their outer layer of long guard hair. This traps a layer of air, and keeps them dry and warm under water.
  • They range in size with the Asian small-clawed otter weighing about3kg (6.6lbs), the giant otter reaching 26kg (57lbs), to the sea otter at 45kg (57.3lbs).