Using surveillance cameras to analyze the activity pattern of the Eurasian otters (&lt;i&gt;Lutra lutra&lt;/i&gt;) and the efficiency of camera trap monitoring

Han, Xuesong; Dong, Zhengyi; Zhao, Guiqiu; Zhao, Xiang; Shi, Xiangying; Lü, Zhi; Li, Hongqi

doi:10.17520/biods.2020388

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Yushu is located on the Tibetan Plateau, with an elevation ranging from 3 530–3 860 m a.s.l. ( Han et al, 2021 ). The Batang and Zhaqu rivers (widths of 43±2 m and 25±1 m, respectively) run through the downtown area of the city.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We set a fishing trap (size: 32 cm×24 cm×5 m, mesh: 4 mm, entrance: 15 cm) with bread as bait at every control site to evaluate abundance of otter prey in each section. To avoid catching otters accidentally, we set traps in the daytime when otters are relatively inactive ( Han et al, 2021 ). Traps were set before 0900 h and retrieved after 1500 h to ensure they were in the river for at least 6 h. No otter was caught during the study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Site-specific and seasonal variation in habitat use of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in western China: implications for conservation

Wang

Zheng

Han³

et al. 2021

Zoological Research

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As a top predator, the Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra ) is an indicator of healthy freshwater ecosystems and a flagship species for conservation. Once widespread in China, the species is now distributed mainly in the upper reaches of the great rivers of western China. However, a lack of knowledge on local otter populations continues to hinder their conservation in China. Here, we conducted a detailed study on habitat use of Eurasian otters in Yushu City and Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve in western China using transect surveys. At both study sites, otters preferred to defecate on large rocks close to or protruding from the river and about 50 cm above the waterline. In Yushu, no spraints were found along the 5 km river bank section in the downtown area, with otters preferring sprainting sites with natural banks, riparian zones, and lower human population density. However, this pattern was not obvious at Tangjiahe, where river transformation and human disturbance are minor. Otter river use intensity was negatively correlated with elevation and human population density in Yushu in both seasons. In Tangjiahe, otter river use intensity was positively correlated with prey mass and flow rate and negatively correlated with human population in spring, but positively correlated with human population and negatively correlated with flow rate in autumn. These results reflect the flexible habitat use strategies of otters at different sites, underlining the necessity to study otters living in different regions and habitat types. We provide suggestions for river modification and call for more site-specific studies to promote otter conservation in China.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Site-specific and seasonal variation in habitat use of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in western China: implications for conservation

Wang

Zheng

Han³

et al. 2021

Zoological Research

Self Cite

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Eurasian otters prefer to prey on religious released non-native fish on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

et al. 2023

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Religious wildlife release is prevalent worldwide, especially in Asia countries. It is one of the anthropogenic pathways to cause biological invasions. Religious fish release is common on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, yet few studies have assessed the influences of religious fish release on local species. In Yushu, a city on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, we interviewed local people, conducted fish trap surveys in local rivers, and examined the diet of Eurasian otters Lutra lutra using a fecal DNA metabarcoding approach. We found that fish release started at least in 1980s -1990s in Yushu. Tibetan residents released fish in large amounts and released fish were usually exotic commercial fish purchased from market. Despite such long-term and intensive fish release activities, released fish were few in local rivers. On the other hand, Eurasian otters mainly prey on fish and released fish accounted for ~20% of relative read abundance of prey DNA in otters’ diet, indicating their high preference on released fish. Our study suggested that religious fish release may provide additional food resources for otters, whereas otters, as a top predator in local rivers, may deplete non-native fish once they were released and therefore reduce the probability of colonization of released fish, although further studies are required to assess otters’ impact. Our study revealed otters’ diet in Yushu, providing basic information for local otter management and conservation. Furthermore, it represents a case showing that native predators prey on religious released animals, implying a probable direction for controlling invasive species through native predator conservation.

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Using surveillance cameras to analyze the activity pattern of the Eurasian otters (<i>Lutra lutra</i>) and the efficiency of camera trap monitoring

Cited by 2 publications

References 8 publications

Site-specific and seasonal variation in habitat use of Eurasian otters (<i>Lutra</i> <i>lutra</i>) in western China: implications for conservation

Site-specific and seasonal variation in habitat use of Eurasian otters (<i>Lutra</i> <i>lutra</i>) in western China: implications for conservation

Eurasian otters prefer to prey on religious released non-native fish on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

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