DISTRIBUTION AND DIET OF REINTRODUCED OTTERS (LUTRA LUTRA) ON THE RIVER TICINO (NW ITALY)

On the River Ticino (NW Italy), the release, in 1997, of a pair of otters Lutra lutra, possibly reinforced by the escape of a further pair, allowed the establishment of a small breeding population. In summer 2008, a survey was carried out using the 'standard method' to determine Current otter distribution. Data on otter diet were also collected through the analysis of 36 spraints. Otter presence was recorded at 3 of 10 sampling stations, along a 2.6 km long section of the river. Considering only this stretch, the mean number of sprainting sites per 100 in was 0.10, while the mean number of spraints per 100 m was 0.19. Fish - mainly Salmo trutta, Perca fluviatilis, Phoxinus phoxinus and Chondrostoma genei -, formed the bulk of the otters' diet. The prosecution of any reintroduction project requires an updated feasibility study which provides for management actions aimed to favour the expansion of the species in northern Italy.