Thrumster roadkill casualty found – what to do if you find a dead otter in Caithness
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Judging from pictures posted on social media otters appear to be increasing in numbers in Caithness but what should you do if you find one dead on a local road?
The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) is a charity based in Broadford in the Isle of Skye and wants any statistics on sightings of the elusive creatures, alive or dead, for its database.
"We really appreciate all reports of otters, both live and deceased, as we share our records with other data recording centres," said Callum Browett from the charity.
The IOSF was contacted after a dead otter was discovered at the side of the A99 just south of Thrumster on Saturday afternoon. The casualty showed massive trauma to the rear of its body probably from being run over by a vehicle. The exact location was given to the organisation which then uses the data to highlight blackspots when it comes to road deaths. "[This] then allows us to work with highway agencies to provide better infrastructure for things such as safe crossing points for animals," added Callum.
The charity says it has to be careful when saying that otter numbers are rising in the north Highlands despite many local people snapping images of the creatures. The John O'Groat Journal asked on the Caithness Photos page of Facebook if anyone had taken pictures of live otters in Caithness and some of the many images are reproduced here.
The IOSF said: "Between 2002 and 2023 we have received a total of 54 otters sighting reports for Caithness and Sutherland. Thirty of these are dead otter reports of which 17 are road traffic collision/possible road traffic collision (RTC) deaths."
A previous article highlighted another otter that was probably a casualty of speeding vehicles at Papigoe in September 2021. At that time, the charity said RTC casualties are not rare and, in fact, the most "frequent cause of death of otters is the road". The organisation says that otters are particularly active at dawn and dusk but have very little road sense so its advice is to "take particular care when driving at night or in low light".
Dr Paul Yoxon, head of operations at IOSF, said: "Otters in the Highlands have the best chance of survival as the habitat is relatively clean and undisturbed.
"They are found in both freshwater and on the coast. The main problem they face is on the road and this is the biggest cause of non-natural mortality. They use both the land and water environments and so are a good indicator to a healthy environment. However, we can't be complacent and we have to make sure that we protect our wonderful Highland environment."
Anglers have sometimes seen otters as an issue but the charity says that the animals do not kill for fun and will only take to eat.
Though sightings may have increased, Dr Yoxon says we should treat this with a great degree of caution and "maintain our vigilance for their conservation".
For more information on the IOSF and how to report a sighting of a live or dead otter please visit: www.otter.org/Public/
The charity also founded World Otter Day, which takes place on the last Wednesday of May annually (Wednesday, May 31, 2023).
