Volume 20 Issue 2 Pages 58 - 90 (October 2003)

Citation: de Smet, K. and Lymberakis, P. (2003) Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) in Crete?!.  IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 20(1): 72

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Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) in Crete?!

Koen de Smet, Petros Lymberakis

Nature Division, Albert II laan 20, Bus 8, 1000 Brussel, Belgium.e-mail: koen.desmet@lin.vlaanderen.be

In July 2003 I explored the south coast of Crete and visited the Natura 2000 site of Kourtaliotiko Farangi and Preveli Beach. Water runs down from the central Cretan mountains on a permanent base and very deep-water ponds have been eroded in the canyon. There is a well-developed riverine forest (Platanus) and thickets and scrubs (Nerium) are present all along the riverbank. In the lower part, near the endemic Cretan Phoenix theophastica palms, there are reed beds and Potamogeton in the water. There are many amphibians and reptiles and fish are very abundant. In other words, this is prime Mediterranean otter habitat.

I found otter spraints in the higher part of the canyon and deposited on larger rocks near the sea and palm forest. Though amphibian bones and a jelly like substance were found, no fish spines were observed. One of the spraints was fresh enough to confirm the typical otter perfume.

I had not realised that the otter had never been reported as living in Crete and, therefore, did not collect or photograph the spraints. Mr. Lymberakis (lyberis@hhmc.uoc.gr) from the Cretan Natural History Museum later confirmed that the otter was not known from this locality, or from elsewhere on Crete. Other Palaearctic mammal species, such as badger and stone marten, however, do occur on the island and others have become extinct in historical times.

As these findings are very important from a zoogeographical point of view, as well as for nature protection on Crete, I would like to make an appeal to other European otter specialists to check the locality again for otter whenever they visit the island, either professionally or on holiday. Of course spraints should be collected on that occasion.

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