Status of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in Switzerland.

Journal of Mountain Ecology, 13 (2020): 23–30.

Abstract:

Between the late 19th and early 20th century, the Eurasian otter had been persecuted in Switzerland as a nuisance animal. Federal funding was provided in order to eradicate the species. Additionally, habitat alterations and environmental pollutants played an important role in the decline of the species throughout the 20th century. The last signs of otter pres-ence  were  found  in  1989,  after  which  Switzerland  was  devoid  of  wild  otters  until  2009 when an otter was detected by an automatic camera in a fish pass. Since then, several indi-viduals have been observed in different regions of Switzerland. In two areas, otters have already  reproduced  successfully.  The  federal  office  for  nature  protection  has  launched  a national  working  group  to  coordinate  ongoing  initiatives  concerning  otters  between different stakeholders.

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