The otter population is "healthy and continues to expand" according to an 11 year study by the environment agency.

The main culprit for otters declining in numbers to begin with is the insecticide dieldrin, which gets into the waterways and fish which in turn are eaten by the otters.

Here's the full article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6742033.stm

That's good news! How many of you have seen an otter in the wild?

I have seen them, but only here in the United States.

Kingfisher

It's great news, and a bit of a surprise. I've been under the impression that otter populations have been steadily declining in recent years, but if this study has looked at the populations over the last 11 years it is very encouraging.