Historical and Current Situation of the Otter (Lutra lutra) and its Habitat in the Region of the Hohe Tauern National Park - Analysis of the Situation and Suggestions for Improvements

The Hohe Tauern in the Austrian Alps has lost its larger vertebrates; bearded vultures and ibex have been successfully reintroduced, and now otters are potential candidates. A survey was carried out to determine the past, present and future of both otters and otter habitat in this area. Low otter numbers (and hence weak immigration) from contiguous regions and poor otter habitat means reintroduction has been rejected in favour of habitat improvement to support natural recolonization as conditions become favourable.