In the Health and Natural Science Building’s classroom, 147, Dr. Erin Barding elaborated about the recovery and management of a reintroduced river otter population. River otters, or Lontra Canadensis, are stocky mustelid and semi-aquatic. They appear in rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. They have few natural predators and hold high value for their fur. In other words, otter’s fur are really dense and luxurious and can sell for $100-$200. Despite being awkward on land, otters are jet like in water.
They inhabited most major drainages but by the 1900s they became extirpated in the United States. This happened as a result of loss of habitat, unregulated trapping, agricultural and industrial improvements, as well as, mining. Not counting the fact that otters were causing problems to humans. For example, fish hatcheries and farm ponds were being wiped out by otters. Subsequently, fishermen started to get mad because there were no bass left; therefore, they began targeting the otters by trapping them. …show more content…
Erin’s objectives were assess the population status of river otters, describe a statewide analysis of winter food habits for otters, describe age-specific reproductive parameters and produce a range of population estimates for otters, and provide management recommendations for river otters in Kentucky. Due to the low number of otters, she explained how lots of states have been reintroducing otters such as Missouri, Louisiana, and Kentucky. The otter reintroduction in Missouri was the number one carnivore reproduction reinstitution. Dr. Erin’s conclusions found that her data indicated a successful reintroduction because otters occupied all of the major watersheds, otters were not eating all of the small and large mouth bass, females go through delayed implantation, and the population growth of otters was
They inhabited most major drainages but by the 1900s they became extirpated in the United States. This happened as a result of loss of habitat, unregulated trapping, agricultural and industrial improvements, as well as, mining. Not counting the fact that otters were causing problems to humans. For example, fish hatcheries and farm ponds were being wiped out by otters. Subsequently, fishermen started to get mad because there were no bass left; therefore, they began targeting the otters by trapping them. …show more content…
Erin’s objectives were assess the population status of river otters, describe a statewide analysis of winter food habits for otters, describe age-specific reproductive parameters and produce a range of population estimates for otters, and provide management recommendations for river otters in Kentucky. Due to the low number of otters, she explained how lots of states have been reintroducing otters such as Missouri, Louisiana, and Kentucky. The otter reintroduction in Missouri was the number one carnivore reproduction reinstitution. Dr. Erin’s conclusions found that her data indicated a successful reintroduction because otters occupied all of the major watersheds, otters were not eating all of the small and large mouth bass, females go through delayed implantation, and the population growth of otters was