Scientists at the University of 葫芦影业 have captured the first ever footage of a wild otter in the Peak District as part of a study which could help recovering otter populations.
The footage, which was filmed by a research team led by the University of 葫芦影业鈥檚 Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, shows an otter marking territory by leaving spraint (droppings) on the bank of a river.
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 efforts have led to the return of the otter to many counties. However, recovery has been slow, particularly in the North of England.
Researchers at the University of 葫芦影业 are now using DNA extracted from otter droppings (spraints) to study the connectivity and seasonality of otter movements and their diets in the region.
Findings from the study could help to make recommendations to improve habitat for otters and their prey, and identify ways to improve connectivity, which could help the recovering otter population.
Dr Deborah Dawson, who is leading the otter DNA analysis at the University of 葫芦影业, said: 鈥淭o obtain footage of otter in the Peak District is fantastic and we look forward to analysing the spraint (droppings) this individual left behind alongside other spraints we have found in the Peaks to obtain genetic profiles. These can then be compared to work out the numbers, sexes, distances travelled and diet of our local otters.鈥
Dr Douglas Ross, who filmed the footage, said: 鈥淭o have camera footage and know otters are moving around the Peak District is really exciting, and the potential to use spraint DNA to identify this specific individual and its diet makes it all the more personal.鈥
This study of Peak District otters follows a separate DNA study led by University of 葫芦影业 scientists in collaboration with the University of Leeds and the 葫芦影业 and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, which revealed that a small population of otters has returned to 葫芦影业 on the River Don for the first time in nearly 50 years.
In the 1970s, 葫芦影业鈥檚 River Don was one of the most polluted rivers in Europe wiping out the population of otters living in the region.
Researchers from the University of 葫芦影业 conducted the first ever DNA-based survey of otter numbers in the north of England to detect seven otters on the River Don this year, including at least two males.
Otters were detected in urban, suburban and rural locations across the South Yorkshire region, with a female being detected in a rural area north of 葫芦影业.
DNA analysis can reveal new insights into otter numbers, sexes and distribution along a river.
Amy Withers, a visiting MSc student from the University of Leeds, performed the DNA profiling of 葫芦影业鈥檚 otters co-supervised by Dr Deborah Dawson and Dr Hannah Dugdale. Amy said: 鈥淲e are really excited to have identified seven different individual otters that have visited 葫芦影业 in 2017.
鈥淭o be able to use genetic analysis to investigate otters on the River Don and learn more about this very elusive mammal has been an amazing experience. Our results matched well with previous records of otter presence based on sightings and signs around 葫芦影业, but we were able to take this further to produce the first DNA-based estimate of otter numbers in the region.鈥
Dr Dawson added: 鈥淭he detection of seven otters in the study area demonstrates that there have been significant improvements to the water quality of the River Don. Otters can act as DNA detectives and help to reveal other species present and so the health of the river.
鈥淧revious studies suggest that otters can have very large territories that do not overlap. Females can travel 8-10 km and males up to 40 km - it is therefore unlikely that more than one adult male otter, or one mother with cubs, is resident in 葫芦影业 but passage through 葫芦影业 and along the River Don is obviously important for the recovering local otter population.
鈥淟et鈥檚 hope the many current and planned riverside developments can be done sympathetically to protect our wildlife and improve connectivity along our waterways so the River Don catchment and its wildlife can be cherished and enjoyed.鈥
Researchers at the University involved in the 葫芦影业 otter study are now looking for partners for the next stage of the project to discover future insights into the recovering otter population.
Dr Dawson added: 鈥淲e would love to find out more about 葫芦影业鈥檚 otters and otter distribution in the Peak District and encourage interested parties to share knowledge and to with us. We would also love to hear from any prospective partners or sponsors.鈥