The Challenge

The Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) is a semi-aquatic mammal, a flagship species for healthy wetlands and a key indicator of clean water and ecological balance. In Greece, otters are fully protected under EU and national legislation and are listed as Endangered in the Red Data Book of the Threatened Animals of Greece (2009 assessment). Island populations are considered particularly vulnerable and rare.

Lefkada is one of only three Greek islands—along with Corfu in the Ionian Sea and Euboea in the Aegean Sea —where otters still occur in the Mediterranean, making its wetlands critically important for the species.

However sightings remain sporadic, and recent roadkill incidents indicate that the otter’s presence on the island is fragile. Threats such as habitat loss, wetland pollution, disturbance linked to tourism, and road mortality place both the species and the ecosystems they depend on at serious risk. Without coordinated monitoring, appropriate habitat management by nature protection authorities, and public engagement, otters on Lefkada risk disappearing locally—jeopardising both biodiversity and wetland health.

The Project

Over a 12-month period, this project will deliver the first structured assessment of otters on Lefkada. Seasonal field surveys, habitat mapping, and threat analysis will identify key habitats and pressures across Lefkada’s wetlands and coastal areas using camera traps, drone surveys with thermal cameras, recording of field signs and direct observations.

The project will seek to work with nature protection authorities, including the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA), and with the Environmental Education Centre of Lefkada, and local organisations and nature associations, to promote awareness and conservation actions that reduce key threats such as road mortality, including the use of warning signage in high-risk areas.

A public “Otter Day” in Lefkada will inform and involve local communities, raise public awareness about otters and wetlands, encourage active participation, and foster local stewardship. The project will culminate in the preparation of a Draft Ionian Otter Action Plan (2026–2030), outlining priorities for population monitoring, habitat management, and coordinated wetland conservation on Lefkada and Corfu.

By establishing a robust scientific baseline, promoting community involvement, and strengthening collaboration with nature protection authorities, this initiative secures the future of one of Greece’s most charismatic and locally threatened mammals, particularly its vulnerable island populations. It also directly supports SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

About Our Partner

The project is implemented by RWILD IN GR, a non-profit organisation dedicated to wildlife research and conservation in Greece. RWILD IN GR has strong scientific expertise in wildlife ecology, particularly in mammal ecology and conservation and its founders include a member of the IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group.

Photo Credits: Kostas Papadopoulos