Implementation of Selected Measures of the Management Plan for the European Otter in the Czech Republic

Description

Czech nature is rich and diverse but also contains many vulnerable species. These species need an active protection. A document called a management plan contains guidelines for nature conservation authorities and owners of land how to reduce conflicts between endangered species populations and economic interests of Czech society. The project is about implementation of the measures. The European Otter (Lutra lutra) is specially protected species therefore the “Management Plan for European Otter” was prepared in the year 2009. The project meets the target of the state environmental policy of the Czech Republic for 2012-2020. The main objective of the project is the implementation of the management plan to minimize the negative impacts of transport on species population and two research studies. The second objective is draft for system of optimization solutions to conflicts of economic interests of fishers and otters and testing of preventive measures. The project outcomes are increasing of the species population and broadening knowledge of population. The project outputs are proposal of improve situation on critical points in transport and direct communication with the administrators of communications. The outputs are the results of two reseach studies, draft on conflicts with fishers and results of tests of preventive measures. Project will also include part of publicity. The target group of the project is primarily a species and nature-conservation authorities. Secondarily, the protection and connected activities will carry out the influence over the general public via education.

Summary of project results

The main aim is implementation of selected conservation measures from Management Plan for Eurasian otter in the Czech Republic. Two most important population threats should be targeted by the project: a) impact of road traffic killing dozens of otters every year and b) low acceptance of otter presence by some stakeholders (fishpond owners and anglers), resulting in illegal killing of otters. Of the 266 sites with Eurasian otter, 192 sites were rated as risky for otters. Of the inspections of selected sections, 57 sites (20%) were evaluated as otter risky. Altogether, there are currently 231 high risk areas for the otter in the Czech Republic. Inspections of selected road sections have also confirmed the assumption that we have not yet been able to identify all the risk areas by tracking the found dead animals. All known risky places are visible on the map www.vydrynasilnici.cz There were 14 personal meetings with the road managers: the Road and Motorway Directorate (representatives of the Ministry of the Environment and the NCA CR),In the updated viability analysis, the models have been updated with new data on mortality, reproduction, population size estimates. There was a high risk of rising mortality on the roads due to increasing autoproduction. The models also show that it is not possible to artificially regulate the population of the Eurasian otter so as to remain viable for a long time and at the same time significantly reduce the damage to the fish stocks. The website www.vydryonline.cz exists in the planned scope, it is bilingual. They fully inform about the project, about the river otter and about topics of importance for the protection of this species. The new website www.vydristezky.cz has been created, which relates to the educational trail called Vydra trail on Dyji and is more focused on lay people and children.

Summary of bilateral results