Post by Dave A on Oct 4, 2006 14:39:38 GMT
This thanks to Lisa from our yahoo group Beastwatch_Files
CENTRAL London's first ever wild otter has been found - a discovery
which scientists say is as significant as the return of the salmon to
the River Thames.
The body of one of the River Thames' most mysterious inhabitants was
found on a riverbank last Friday.
Measuring 122cm and weighing 9.7kg, the male otter was found on The
Highway, in Wapping, about a mile from the Tower Bridge.
Scientists believe the notoriously shy mammal had traveled to London
down the River Lee.
continued...
They said that although otter numbers in the rivers surrounding London
were still low compared to the rest of the country, this was evidence
that the population was breeding and spreading.
Otters are known to live in the Upper Roding, but the nearest possible
source of the London otter is the River Lee, therefore scientists
believe this is the most likely journey taken by the webbed mammal.
Graeme Mclaren, EnvironmentAgency technical specialist in
biodiversity, said the British otter population had grown since the
Environment Agency and local wildlife trusts started to build otter
holts and tree and shrub planting schemes to create sites where otters
can hide and breed.
"It shows that a lot of hard work by the Environment Agency and
conservation groups to create a better place for people and wildlife
across the capital is paying off," Mr Mclaren said.
"The return of the otter to London is as significant as the earlier
return of the salmon to the River Thames.
"The otter is very shy, and we believe there could be many more out
there, swimming past Tower Bridge and across London."
There are 13 known species of otter in the world, but only the
European otter can be found in the UK.
Otters can swim at speeds of 12km per hour underwater and can travel
for up to 400m before surfacing for air.
If anyone finds a dead otter it should be reported to the Environment
Agency on 08708 506506. This is because they need to be collected for
post-mortem to determine whether any pollutants are present in the rivers.
This is Local London 1/10/06
CENTRAL London's first ever wild otter has been found - a discovery
which scientists say is as significant as the return of the salmon to
the River Thames.
The body of one of the River Thames' most mysterious inhabitants was
found on a riverbank last Friday.
Measuring 122cm and weighing 9.7kg, the male otter was found on The
Highway, in Wapping, about a mile from the Tower Bridge.
Scientists believe the notoriously shy mammal had traveled to London
down the River Lee.
continued...
They said that although otter numbers in the rivers surrounding London
were still low compared to the rest of the country, this was evidence
that the population was breeding and spreading.
Otters are known to live in the Upper Roding, but the nearest possible
source of the London otter is the River Lee, therefore scientists
believe this is the most likely journey taken by the webbed mammal.
Graeme Mclaren, EnvironmentAgency technical specialist in
biodiversity, said the British otter population had grown since the
Environment Agency and local wildlife trusts started to build otter
holts and tree and shrub planting schemes to create sites where otters
can hide and breed.
"It shows that a lot of hard work by the Environment Agency and
conservation groups to create a better place for people and wildlife
across the capital is paying off," Mr Mclaren said.
"The return of the otter to London is as significant as the earlier
return of the salmon to the River Thames.
"The otter is very shy, and we believe there could be many more out
there, swimming past Tower Bridge and across London."
There are 13 known species of otter in the world, but only the
European otter can be found in the UK.
Otters can swim at speeds of 12km per hour underwater and can travel
for up to 400m before surfacing for air.
If anyone finds a dead otter it should be reported to the Environment
Agency on 08708 506506. This is because they need to be collected for
post-mortem to determine whether any pollutants are present in the rivers.
This is Local London 1/10/06
