Otter toxicology conference identifies areas for future research

Brussels, 07 May 2002

Otter toxicology researchers from across Europe met on the Isle of Skye in Scotland recently in order to develop a pan-European approach to research into the effects of pollutants on otters and identify areas for future work.

The meeting was the first time in 10 years that researchers from the field had gathered to discuss their work. Participants discussed topics such as the role of pollutants in the decline of the otter, ocular pathology in wild otters, review of current knowledge of phah toxicity and vitamin homeostasis in the Eurasian otter and integrated approaches to the analysis of contaminants in otters.

The International Otter Survival Fund is supporting three international projects in 2002: a research programme into the smooth-coated otter in Nepal, a survey of otter populations in South Vietnam and a conservation project in Belarus.

The proceedings from the first otter toxicology conference are available from:

International Otter Survival Fund
Broadford
Isle of Skye
IV49 9AQ
Scotland
Report reference number: ISBN 0-9517122-1-7

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001