Des pièges à indices olfactifs pour détecter la présence de la loutre (Lutra lutra) ?

In low otter-density areas, the presence of the species is often fairly difficult to ascertain. Such areas however need more attention than others with respect to the otter conservation. The authors have thus attempted to test a quick field-method to give evidence of the presence of surviving animals. They set stone piles at 63 stations scattered on three river systems of Southern Belgium where tracks or signs of otters were recently recorded. In order to give the otters a stimulus to defecate, these stations were provided with foreign spraints and then monitored once a week during 2 months (winter '88-'89 and spring '89). Unfortunately enough, no positive result was obtained in this way.