Otter confirmed in Graubünden

A European otter has been genetically confirmed in the Domleschg/Heinzenberg region of Graubünden. The mustelid species is making a comeback.

Editorial team Wild beim Wild — 4 May 2016

A European otter is living in the Domleschg/Heinzenberg region of the canton of Graubünden.

The mustelid species was confirmed through genetic analysis of discovered droppings. The European otter is slowly but steadily returning to Switzerland.

As the Office for Hunting and Fishing of the canton of Graubünden reports, initial indications of an otter's presence were reported to the canton a year ago. However, a camera trap was unable to confirm the animal.

On 17 April 2016, however, a latrine site was discovered. The University of Lausanne confirmed the presence of the land predator following analysis. The animal's origin is unknown. The first confirmed sighting of a European otter took place in December 2009 at the Reichenau power plant, captured on video recording. The trail was lost in March 2010, however.

The authorities are asking the public to report otter sightings, tracks, and droppings to the responsible fisheries warden or wildlife warden .

To date, six free-living European otters have been conclusively confirmed in Switzerland. In recent weeks, the presence of an otter family near the city of Bern has been confirmed. Animals have also been observed in the canton of Geneva in recent years.

The European otter has been considered extinct in Switzerland since the late 1980s, as the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) states on its website. As recently as the last century, the animal was ruthlessly persecuted as a fish predator. In 1952, the animal was placed under protection. Due to the spread of populations from the east (Styria) and west (Savoy), experts believe the “water marten” is naturally returning to Switzerland.

European otter

Otters live solitary lives and occupy territories of up to 40 kilometres in length along interconnected waterway systems. Their preferred habitat consists of shallow rivers with overgrown banks and floodplains. Their main diet consists of fish, though otters also eat amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, birds, crayfish, and carrion. They are capable of overpowering birds as large as a grey heron.

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