Peninsula Otter Watch

River and wetland ecosystems are amongst the most threatened, yet most valuable systems worldwide. Habitat degradation through increasing urbanisation and water pollution are two of the largest threats to these systems, and to the animals dependent on them for survival. Of particular concern in urban areas is sewage, and the dumping or run off of waste into water ways. Sewage effluent contains industrial waste, municipal wastes, domestic waste, animal remains and faecal matter, all containing a variety of harmful substances including viral and bacterial pathogens, toxic chemicals such as organo-chlorines, poly-chlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) and heavy metals. Toxic chemicals are known to enter the food chain and accumulate in the tissues of top predators, contributing to infertility, poor health and vulnerability to disease. Throughout the world, otters and other aquatic top predators have suffered population declines and even local extinctions due to exposure and subsequent bioaccumulation of toxic pollutants.

Please get in touch with Peninsula Otter Watch from the Contact box on the right.