Otters Caught in Traps: A Minor Problem or the Tip of an Iceberg?

In Sweden, only four otters have been reported killed in mink traps during the last three decades. But one third of 1 024 traps found during otter surveys 1989-2010 were illegally constructed. The most frequent incorrectness was a too large entrance hole of the trap. This considerable increases the risk for otters to get caught in traps. There is a need for changed regulations as well as better information about trap selectivity.