River Otter
Thanks to efforts of the IDNR and its partners, river otter are now found throughout most of Indiana. It’s a true conservation success story that dates back almost twenty years. In 1995, the IDNR began a reintroduction program aimed at bringing river otter back to the Hoosier state. The goal of the reintroduction was to reestablish a healthy otter population in several watersheds of northern and southern Indiana. Following five years of reintroductions, the otter population began to expand due to natural reproduction. The reintroduction efforts were so successful that otter were removed from the state endangered species list in 2005. Since that time, otter have been documented in over 87 percent;of Indiana counties,far surpassing reintroduction goals, and the population continues to expand.
River Otter Biological Information
- A total of 303 river otter were released in northern and southern Indiana between 1995 and 1999.Click to see River Otter Release Sites.
- The reintroduction went so well that otter were removed from the state endangered list in 2005.
- Each year, state researchers collect samples from accidentally killed otter to monitor the population. .
- Trap-related otter mortality
- Total otter mortality
- Systematically recording public observations
- In 2011, IDNR received 34 river otter damage complaints.
- The Division of Fish and Wildlife anticipates otter will continue to increase in numbers and expand their range, elevating the likelihood of more frequent nuisance complaints.
- The Division of Fish and Wildlife will continue to use management tools to resolve nuisance otter complaints as they arise.
- The Division of Fish and Wildlife shall provide for the protection, reproduction, care, management, survival and regulation of wild animal populations regardless of whether the wild animals are present on public or private property . . . [and] Organize and pursue a program of research and management of wild animals that will serve the best interests of the resources and the people of Indiana (Indiana Code Title 14, Article 22, Chapter 2, Section 3)
- Restoring river otters in Indiana. Johnson and Berkley 1999.
- Prospects for restoring river otters in Indiana. Johnson et al. 2007.
Stay Connected
