In otter news...
Otters spotted on campus
Wednesday 27 May marks World Otter Day - established by the to celebrate these furry creatures and raise awareness and support for their conservation globally.
We are thrilled to share that otters have been discovered on campus. As a predator that relies on good-quality aquatic and terrestrial habitats, this endangered species is a key indicator of environmental health.
The Energy and Sustainability Team works closely with the Grounds and Gardens and the Waste and Recycling Teams to keep campus a fantastic place for people to visit, but also as a safe haven for wildlife.
Using wildlife cameras, the team monitors animal species on campus and they captured a couple of otters marking their territory at Tocil Lake.
If you'd like to learn more about wildlife on campus, look out for upcoming eventsLink opens in a new window and sign up to become a to hear about new initiatives.
Dalma Zsalako, Sustainability Assistant, commented:
鈥淚t's a really big achievement for the University. Otters are top-level predators and when they are present, when they stick around, it means the environment is healthy. This means our campus can support enough prey species for such a predator to live permanently at a site. And they have a habitat where they can hunt and rest and reproduce. And that's what we are trying to create on campus.鈥�
Fun otter facts:
- There are 14 species of otter around the world and many of them are endangered.
- Otters can't hold their breath underwater for long periods and usually dive for no more than 30 seconds at a time.
- A group of otters on land is called a Romp and a group at sea is called a Raft.
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There are theories that the sightings of the Loch Ness monster were actually otters.
- Otters are part of the Mustelid family of animals, which also includes badgers, weasels and polecats - all of which have been spotted on campus with the help of wildlife trail cameras. Find out what else has been recorded at Warwick on the .