Evidence for Illegal Attempts to Kill Otters (Lutra lutra) in Austria

Following collection of 17 otter carcasses for necroscopy from the Waldviertel area of Austria, two were found to have old fragments of bullets in their bodies. In neither case was this the cause of death, nor had physiological mobilization of lead occurred. One had fragments of two different kinds of bullets in it, implying it had been shot at and wounded twice, the other once. Otter hunting is forbidden throughout Austria but this indicates that illegal hunting is taking place.