European otter spotted in Hérault points to biodiversity boost and cleaner waters
Scientists say the rare sighting highlights healthier rivers and wetlands in Occitanie
An otter photographed on the River Lez (Rives du Lez) in Montpellier
Yann Raulet
The European otter has been spotted at Lac du Salagou in Hérault, southern France, in what scientists say is an encouraging sign of improving biodiversity and healthier waterways.
“The return of the otter to the area is very good news,” said Olivier Gimenez, research director at the Centre d’Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive of the CNRS in Montpellier, France’s largest public scientific research organisation.
“The otter is a discreet predator at the top of the food chain. Its presence indicates that the ecosystem is functioning well enough to support a full community of species, including fish and invertebrates,” he added.
The semi-aquatic mammal’s presence at the lake in Hérault was recently confirmed by local naturalist Philippe Carrière, who discovered characteristic droppings, known as “spraints”, along the shoreline.
Mr Carrière, founder and president of the local nature association Animagou, a local nature and water‑environment group, recognised the tell-tale signs immediately. “When I crushed them between my fingers I recognised the sweet, honey-like smell typical of otter spraints,” he said.
Dr Gimenez said: “Its presence at a site generally means that the water is of better
quality than before, that the banks offer refuges, and that food resources are available.
“This is therefore also an encouraging signal regarding the condition of rivers and wetlands in Hérault.”
Lac du Salagou, which is famous for its striking red landscapes and protected as part of a Natura 2000 site, provides an ideal habitat, containing hundreds of tons of fish, including roach, bream, and other white fish, as well as predatory species. Extensive reed beds and quiet shoreline areas offer shelter where otters can hide, rest, and raise
their young.
Dr Gimenez said the observation reflects a broader trend. “Otters have been gradually recolonising many regions over the past 15 years. In southern France and Occitanie, we are observing more and more signs of their presence. This reflects both the protection of the species and the gradual improvement of certain aquatic environments.”
The European otter almost vanished from France during the 20th Century due to hunting for its fur, pollution, and conflicts with fishermen. By the 1970s, populations had declined dramatically. Protected since 1981, the species has slowly returned thanks to cleaner waterways and conservation efforts.
In Hérault, signs of otters have also been reported along the Hérault river, the Lergue river, and even the banks of the Lez river in Montpellier. Sightings are rare as the animal is nocturnal and highly discreet.
