A short note on the effects of pollutants on the European otter (Lutra lutra)

Over the last decade, a successful re-introduction program resulted in the establishment of an otter population in the Wieden-Weerribben area, the Netherlands. The next stage of the reintroduction program intends to create a meta-population by facilitating the establishment of new populations at other locations as well. The current plan is to re-introduce otters in the river-system of the river Rhine and the catchment of the Meuse. These river-systems, however, are known to have elevated concentrations of certain pollutants. Therefore, information is needed on the potential risks of these pollutants for future otter populations.