The european otter in the Drome River basin: an evaluation of its limiting factors

Abstract

Following an enquiry made among reliable local observers, a survey of the status of the River 0tter Lutra lutra in the Drôme River and some of its tributaries was carried out in 1983. The species still exists in this river basin, as well as in the Rhône, close to the mouth of the Drôme, forming two population isolates. The scarcity of otters in this area is probably not ascribable to changes in water quality or prey availability, but to anthropic factors. Proposais are made to ensure a better protection of these relict population