A NEW study on the number of otters in north Cork will provide the basis for a series of measures aimed at encouraging an increase in the otter population across a wide area.
The study by IRD Duhallow is part of a €1 million EU Life+ funded project aimed at increasing otter numbers on the Allow, Dalua and Brogeen tributaries of the Blackwater.
According to project co-ordinator Pat Fitzpatrick, preliminary surveys suggest that there may be up to six otters currently living on the Allow which flows through Kanturk.
The project has established that there appears to be strong evidence of otters living near the Allow, whereas it appears that otters simply travel by the Brogeen and the Dalua.
Mr Fitzpatrick said the baseline study will help identify suitable sites on both the Brogeen and the Dalua to build otter holts, or specially constructed breeding boxes.
“The baseline study is an important step in the process to identify areas that are potentially suitable for otter but where holt sites are currently not available,” he said.
The project has already identified a number of important fishing pools for otters on the Allow, which, along with the other rivers, is a designated conservation site for the species.
According to Mr Fitzpatrick, there is strong evidence that growth in otter numbers leads to a reduction in the population of mink, which are regarded as damaging to other wildlife.
“We’re still at an early stage, but with the baseline study we will be able to identify sites for holts and hopefully increase otter activity and numbers across the entire catchment.”