The otter Lutra lutra in Albania

During a survey in Albania we found signs of otters at 17 (54·8%) of the 31 stations investigated. Otters were widespread in much of the country, and healthy populations were localised in rivers and marshes in the north-west and in the south. Average sprainting activity was 1·7 positive sites per 200 m and 3-6 spraints per 200 m. Frogs, probably Rana ridibunda, as well as fish, appeared to be important prey for otters. In the coastal plains, several rivers were grossly polluted and the growing agricultural and industrial development may endanger the survival of otters.