Otter Lutra lutra

The Otter (Lutra lutra) suffered severe declines across Britain in the mid-twentieth century due to organochlorine pesticide pollution, habitat loss, and persecution, but has undergone a remarkable recovery following legal protection and improved water quality. Suffolk has seen a significant return of otters to its river systems, and the species is now recorded across most of the county’s main river catchments – including the Waveney, Orwell, Stour, Deben, and Alde. Coastal wetlands and reedbeds are also used. Continued improvement in water quality and sensitive management of riverbank habitats are important for sustaining the county’s otter population. Image: © Natural England/Allan Drewitt, Flickr.

Find out more: The Mammal Society, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, iNaturalist