EURASIAN OTTER RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION IN GEORGIA

In the past Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) was widespread in Georgia. Today the Eurasian Otter is one of the rarest vertebrate species in existence in this country. Its status qualifies for it to be included on the National Red List as being a critically endangered in Georgia. Major threats to the species include illegal hunting, the decline of fish in the rivers and overall habitat loss. The project, “Eurasian Otter Research and Conservation in Georgia” funded by BP Exploration (Caspian Sea) Ltd – Georgia was part of NACRES’ long-term study of the otter population of the Alazani valley (East Georgia).

The project targeted the conservation and sustainable management of threatened Eurasian otter populations in Georgia through the reduction of human-carnivore conflicts, including (i) field studies involving otter radio tracking, (ii) assessment of water contamination levels and its impact on aquatic life and (iii) public awareness activities.

Alazani flood planes, the project’s target area is home to one of the few surviving otter populations. However, there are upwards of 300 fish farms operating on small ponds or larger artificial lakes throughout the area. Moreover, the ever-deteriorating irrigation system has left many canals without a supply of water. Moreover, illegal and over fishing using poisons, electroshock devices and even dynamite, has resulted in a dramatic decline of fish stocks in the rivers. Otters that fail to find food in their natural environment became frequent visitors to the fish farms. It was only natural that an intense conflict results between farmers and the survival needs of otters. The situation was made worst with a lack of public awareness and an undeveloped understanding of wildlife conservation. Moreover, locals have negative attitudes toward wildlife, and especially wild carnivores.

In addressing the problem, NACRES team was assisted by international experts. Dr. Addy de Jongh and Dr.Tjibbe de Jong, otter specialists, as well as Dr. Pete Klaver, a veterinarian; they were all from the Netherlands and came to Georgia to participate in the field work for otter radio tracking and to train NACRES team members and volunteers in methods of capturing otters and transmitter implanting procedures. During the next field trip, in late September 2006, a first otter - a young female was captured as a result of several weeks of contentious fieldwork. The animal was then transported to Tbilisi zoo, where it was implanted with a transmitter. After a period of recovery the animal was soon released back into the wild in the same place where it was first captured. This first individual caught and successfully released back to the wild was then constantly monitored throughout the remaining term of the project.

In addition to radio tracking, field surveys were conducted to investigate otter feeding habits and their seasonal and daily movement patterns. We found that there was a marked seasonal movement of otters in the study area. Otters in response to the impact of humans have a tendency to seek shelter in flood plains of riparian forests and on small islands located in the Alazani River. Our studies also revealed that otters cause only insignificant damage to the commercial fish farms.

Field studies were undertaken to determine sources and levels of heavy metals and other pollutants in the water and among prey species. Laboratory results demonstrated that some sites on the river Alazani are heavily polluted with heavy metals and agricultural pesticides.

Nevertheless it does appear that illegal fur trade and depletion of fish supplies in the river are the main contributing reasons for the decline of otter populations. We knew of at least 6 otters being captured and killed in the study area over 8 months of the project. Illegal harvesting and killing of otters also seriously impacted our work. Moreover, there were several instances when poachers interfered with our various attempts to capture otters for radio tracking. We reported the situation facing the Alazani flood plains and the other problems encountered to the Environment Inspectorate and we were then promised that they would address our concerns.

At the end of the project, we generated a document with recommendations and suggested prevention measures for reducing human-otter conflicts. It was then distributed among fish farms and to local authorities. NACRES otter research and conservation team continues otter population monitoring in the Alazani flood planes.