Europe: Collecting and using information on otter road casualties ...
Europe: Collecting and using information on otter road casualties ...
Europe: Collecting and using information on otter road casualties ...
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LAURA BONESI<br />
Otter <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 – Moravske Toplice, Slovenia<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>: <str<strong>on</strong>g>Collecting</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>using</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>informati<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>otter</strong> <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong><br />
Photo by Harry Harringt<strong>on</strong> ©<br />
Laura B<strong>on</strong>esi<br />
University of Trieste (Italy)<br />
A survey invited by the OSG<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia<br />
1<br />
OBJECTIVES<br />
• To underst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> what is the status of reporting,<br />
recovery <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> necroscopy of <strong>otter</strong> carcasses in<br />
different <str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an countries<br />
• To discuss how the results from the collecti<strong>on</strong><br />
of these data can be used for <strong>otter</strong><br />
c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> management<br />
• To discuss whether it is useful to set up a<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an based system for some of these<br />
acti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia 2<br />
1 | P a g e
LAURA BONESI<br />
Otter <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 – Moravske Toplice, Slovenia<br />
Acti<strong>on</strong><br />
Paul Chanin ©<br />
REPORTING<br />
A wild <strong>otter</strong> is found dead al<strong>on</strong>g a<br />
<strong>road</strong>...<br />
Storing info Using info<br />
Data base<br />
C<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong><br />
RECOVERING<br />
Data base<br />
Management<br />
NECROSCOPY<br />
Data base<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia<br />
3<br />
The Questi<strong>on</strong>naire: topics<br />
Destinataries: OSG nati<strong>on</strong>al representatives plus some others<br />
Scale: Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
REPORTING<br />
RECOVERY<br />
NECROSCOPY<br />
1. Is there a system in place<br />
2. Acti<strong>on</strong>/Funding<br />
3. How system advertised<br />
4. Existence of database<br />
5. Use of data<br />
6. Whether system works<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia<br />
4<br />
2 | P a g e
LAURA BONESI<br />
Otter <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 – Moravske Toplice, Slovenia<br />
The Questi<strong>on</strong>naire: countries<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia 5<br />
Situati<strong>on</strong>s in different countries<br />
1. Austria: Hunting laws regulate h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ling of wild species such as <strong>otter</strong>s, so hunters<br />
permissi<strong>on</strong> is needed to collect wounded or dead <strong>otter</strong>s. System is not satisfactory.<br />
2. Bulgaria: There is no nati<strong>on</strong>al system of RRN but recovery of wounded <strong>otter</strong>s is<br />
efficient, although wounded <strong>otter</strong>s are a rarity. The system is based <strong>on</strong> voluntaries.<br />
3. Denmark: There is no system for <strong>on</strong>ly reporting but there is a good nati<strong>on</strong>al-based<br />
system for recovering dead or wounded <strong>otter</strong>s that are taken to Danish Forest <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Nature Agency <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> then to the Museum. Necroscopies are nowadays not carried<br />
out c<strong>on</strong>tinuously. The system is funded by government.<br />
4. France: Has a patchy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> complex system with many different competences taking<br />
care of RRN but they are trying to improve the system <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> create a nati<strong>on</strong>al based<br />
system properly financed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> where results used for c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong><br />
5. Germany: Animals when dead are the competence of hunters <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> RRN systems<br />
are very variable am<strong>on</strong>gst 16 states <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> overall not very good.<br />
6. Italy: There is a relatively new nati<strong>on</strong>al based system for reporting <strong>on</strong>line.<br />
Recovery <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> necroscopies are the duty of provinces <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sanitary surveillance<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al institutes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> are not carried out satisfactorily.<br />
7. Norway: There is a nati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> government based system for RR that used to<br />
work quite well but the <str<strong>on</strong>g>informati<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> reported has recently deteriorated. The<br />
system works mostly when somebody wants to apply for the pelt, taxidermists<br />
then have to report. Necroscopies are sometimes carried out.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia<br />
6<br />
3 | P a g e
LAURA BONESI<br />
Otter <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 – Moravske Toplice, Slovenia<br />
Situati<strong>on</strong>s in different countries<br />
8. Portugal: Some universities collect data <strong>on</strong> <strong>otter</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other carnivores. Since<br />
1998 Institute for Nature C<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Biodiversity created a tissue bank of<br />
wild animals collected mainly in protected areas. Necroscopies are carried out in a<br />
n<strong>on</strong>-systematic way. Nati<strong>on</strong>al-based system is needed.<br />
9. Spain: The RRN systems work mostly <strong>on</strong> a regi<strong>on</strong>al basis <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> are supported <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
implemented by the Wildlife Service (Government). Only some regi<strong>on</strong>s have this<br />
system in place <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> it should be extended to the whole of Spain.<br />
10. Slovenia: The Slovenian Museum of Natural Hisory should be in charge of<br />
collecting wildlife <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong> but they do not fulfill this task <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hunters often<br />
are c<strong>on</strong>tacted. The LUTRA Institute is trying to collect the data. Necroscopies are<br />
not carried out. System not satisfactory.<br />
11. Sweden: Carcassess are reported to the police that will collect them <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> send<br />
them to the Swedish Museum of Natural History. System is OK but could be<br />
improved. Necroscopies are carried out by the museum as well. System is funded.<br />
12. UK – Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>: Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> has probably the best system in place with a way of<br />
reporting, recovering <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> doing the necroscopies. System is well advertised <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
funded by government although recently funding has been partly withdrawn.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia 7<br />
2. RR: Acti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> funding<br />
Recipient<br />
Funding<br />
Austria Hunters (No funding)<br />
Bulgaria NP NGOs No funding<br />
Denmark Government/Museum Government<br />
France Govern./Hunters/NP NGOs No Government funding (partial) No funding<br />
Germany Hunters (No funding)<br />
Italy University/Provinces No Government funding/Funding No funding<br />
Norway Government Government<br />
Portugal University/Government Highways No funding<br />
Slovenia Museum (No funding)<br />
Spain Government Government<br />
Sweden Museum Government<br />
UK - Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Government Government<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia 8<br />
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LAURA BONESI<br />
Otter <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 – Moravske Toplice, Slovenia<br />
6. Does system work<br />
Reporting Recovery Necroscopy<br />
Austria NO POOR NO<br />
Bulgaria NO POOR NO<br />
Denmark GOOD GOOD MODERATE<br />
France MODERATE POOR POOR<br />
Germany MODERATE POOR POOR<br />
Italy MODERATE POOR POOR<br />
Norway MODERATE MODERATE MODERATE<br />
Portugal POOR POOR POOR<br />
Slovenia POOR POOR NO<br />
Spain MODERATE MODERATE MODERATE<br />
Sweden GOOD GOOD GOOD<br />
UK – Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> GOOD GOOD GOOD<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia<br />
Photo by Malcom Sharp ©<br />
9<br />
Generalisati<strong>on</strong>s/Observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
• Countries have very variable RRN systems<br />
• Most OSG <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>otter</strong> experts are not satisfied with<br />
the systems in place in their country<br />
• Hunting laws <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hunters govern the system in some<br />
countries – not efficient (e.g. Austria, Germany)<br />
• Pers<strong>on</strong>al initiative is very important in setting up<br />
systems (e.g. Bulgaria, Italy, Portugal)<br />
• Giving back info to who reports or recovers the<br />
animal is extremely important to keep the systems<br />
working (UK, Italy, Sweden)<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia 10<br />
5 | P a g e
LAURA BONESI<br />
Otter <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 – Moravske Toplice, Slovenia<br />
Generalisati<strong>on</strong>s/Observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
• As <strong>otter</strong> numbers increase systems become less<br />
efficient (e.g. UK, Denmark)<br />
• Info from RRN can be used for mitigati<strong>on</strong> but it is not<br />
clear how much this c<strong>on</strong>tributes the c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
the <strong>otter</strong><br />
• Disseminati<strong>on</strong> of <str<strong>on</strong>g>informati<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> collected is mostly d<strong>on</strong>e<br />
at a nati<strong>on</strong>al level<br />
• Most countries, even where advertised, think<br />
advertising insufficient, indeed reporting of <strong>otter</strong>s<br />
d<strong>on</strong>e mostly by specialists<br />
• Most have data base <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> results have been published<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> used for c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia 11<br />
Observati<strong>on</strong>s from a system that<br />
works: UK - Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Chanin P. 2006. Otter <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong>. Hystrix 17:79-90<br />
• Otters killed <strong>on</strong> <strong>road</strong>s do not seem to have an adverse effect <strong>on</strong><br />
the recovery of the populati<strong>on</strong> in Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> (but what about small<br />
populati<strong>on</strong>s; e.g. Reintroduced)<br />
• Number positive sites positively correlated with number of <strong>road</strong><br />
<strong>casualties</strong> (spatial vs temporal comparis<strong>on</strong>)<br />
• <str<strong>on</strong>g>Collecting</str<strong>on</strong>g> info <strong>on</strong> <strong>otter</strong> <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong> has allowed to mitigate<br />
the impact of some killing hot spots <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to carry out<br />
necroscopies that allowed to gain important insights into the<br />
health status of the populati<strong>on</strong> (But could funds be spent<br />
better)<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia<br />
12<br />
6 | P a g e
LAURA BONESI<br />
Otter <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 – Moravske Toplice, Slovenia<br />
Otter status <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> RRN system<br />
10<br />
Sweden<br />
UK - Eng<br />
9<br />
Goodness of RRN system<br />
8<br />
7<br />
6<br />
5<br />
4<br />
3<br />
2<br />
1<br />
Italy<br />
Slovenia<br />
Austria<br />
Germany<br />
France<br />
Denmark<br />
Norway<br />
Spain<br />
Portugal<br />
Bulgaria<br />
0<br />
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80<br />
Rough index of <strong>otter</strong> to carrying capacity (0-100)<br />
(Otter status from C<strong>on</strong>roy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Chanin 2000, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Atlas of Mammals 2000, R<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>i et al. 2003)<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia<br />
13<br />
This graph was build as an attempt to identify groups of countries that should act in different ways regarding their RRN<br />
system. Two factors were taken into c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>: the health of the <strong>otter</strong> populati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the goodness of the RRN<br />
system*. The health of the <strong>otter</strong> populati<strong>on</strong> was measured as a rough index of how close are <strong>otter</strong>s to carrying capacity<br />
in the given country (x axis). While the goodness of the RRN system was measured based <strong>on</strong> the results in slide number<br />
9, by giving different scores according to whether the system was judged to be poor, mediocre or good (Y axis). In this<br />
way four groups of countries were identified. The first group comprises Slovenia <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Austria that have relatively small<br />
populati<strong>on</strong>s of <strong>otter</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a poor RRN system: they should definitively try to improve their RRN system. The sec<strong>on</strong>d<br />
group comprises countries with mediocre RRN systems (Italy, Germany, France, Norway <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Spain) with a variable<br />
situati<strong>on</strong> regarding their <strong>otter</strong> populati<strong>on</strong>s. In this sec<strong>on</strong>d group, especially countries <strong>on</strong> the left side of the graph should<br />
try <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> improve their RRN system. Then there are three countries (Denmark, Sweden <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the UK – Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>) that have<br />
good systems in place <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> should try to maintain them (but what about Scotl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, Northern Irel<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Wales). Finally<br />
there are two countries, Bulgaria <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Portugal, having a good populati<strong>on</strong> of <strong>otter</strong>s but poor RRN systems. These<br />
countries are also likely to see a rapid increase of their <strong>road</strong> network in the near future (Margarida Santos Reis<br />
presentati<strong>on</strong> at this meeting for Portugal) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> therefore should c<strong>on</strong>sider improving their RRN systems. (*For RRN system I<br />
mean a Reporting, Recovery <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Necroscopies system. A country can have all three of these in place, or <strong>on</strong>ly <strong>on</strong>e or two).<br />
7 | P a g e
LAURA BONESI<br />
Otter <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 – Moravske Toplice, Slovenia<br />
C<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong>s: at nati<strong>on</strong>al level<br />
• REPORTING: <str<strong>on</strong>g>Collecting</str<strong>on</strong>g> info <strong>on</strong> <strong>otter</strong>s found dead or<br />
wounded is relatively cheap so all countries should try to<br />
have a system in place – the cost of this system is mainly<br />
that it takes “time” to stimulate reporting <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> networking<br />
(ADVERTISING!). Web based systems are promising.<br />
Benefits: Indirect measure of trend <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> identify <strong>road</strong><br />
killings hot spots - mitigati<strong>on</strong><br />
• RECOVERING: <str<strong>on</strong>g>Collecting</str<strong>on</strong>g> dead animals is mostly regulated<br />
by nati<strong>on</strong>al laws. Systems in many countries could/should<br />
be improved but the effort is worhtwhile <strong>on</strong>ly if carcasses<br />
are then undergoing necroscopies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>/or tissue banks<br />
are implemented (benefits)<br />
• NECROSCOPIES: These should be carried out especially in<br />
those countries that have small populati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> for<br />
which threats to <strong>otter</strong>s are not well known. These are<br />
also important to detect diseases.<br />
Photo by Harry Harringt<strong>on</strong> ©<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia<br />
14<br />
C<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong>s: at a <str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an level<br />
Is not useful:<br />
• REPORTING AT A EUROPEAN LEVEL MAKES NO<br />
SENSE<br />
• RECOVERY AT A EUROPEAN LEVEL NOT POSSIBLE<br />
NEEDS TO BE NATIONAL/LOCAL<br />
May be useful:<br />
• SHARING INFORMATION (Making reports available<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> a publicly accessible web site)<br />
• STANDARDASING NECROSCOPY PROTOCOLS<br />
• CREATING A NETWORK TO REPORT FINDINGS ON<br />
CONDITION, CLINICAL DISEASES AND POLLUTANT<br />
BURDENS (Necroscopies)<br />
• TISSUE BANK (Recovery of carcasses or parts)<br />
Photo by Harry Harringt<strong>on</strong> ©<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia<br />
15<br />
8 | P a g e
LAURA BONESI<br />
Otter <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 – Moravske Toplice, Slovenia<br />
Photo by Harry Harringt<strong>on</strong> ©<br />
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS<br />
Compiled questi<strong>on</strong>naire<br />
Austria<br />
Michaela Bodner & Andreas Kranz<br />
Bulgaria<br />
Dilian Georgiev<br />
Denmark Aksel Bo Madsen & Bjarne Søgaard<br />
France<br />
Helene Jacques & Li<strong>on</strong>el Laf<strong>on</strong>taine<br />
Germany<br />
Hans-Heinrich Krüger<br />
Italy<br />
Laura B<strong>on</strong>esi & Anna Loy<br />
Norway<br />
Thrine Moen Heggberget<br />
Portugal<br />
Margarida Santos-Reis<br />
Slovenia<br />
Marjana Hönigsfeld Adamič<br />
Spain<br />
Jordi Ruiz-Olmo<br />
Sweden<br />
Anna Roos<br />
UK – Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Paul Chanin, Liz Chadwick & Vic Simps<strong>on</strong><br />
Andreas Kranz, Anna Loy, Sam Erlinge, Lesley Wright<br />
Photos: Harry Harringt<strong>on</strong>, Paul Chanin, Malcom Sharp<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 - Slovenia<br />
16<br />
The talk ended with a useful <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>structive discussi<strong>on</strong> which c<strong>on</strong>tinued <strong>on</strong> the last day of the meeting. As a result of<br />
the discussi<strong>on</strong>s the following decisi<strong>on</strong>s were made:<br />
1) What is urgently required is a means whereby we can readily exchange <str<strong>on</strong>g>informati<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> about the Reporting,<br />
Recovery, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Necroscopies systems implemented in each country as well as the results obtained. The platform<br />
for this will be provided by a web page(s) hosted by the OSG web site.<br />
2) Laura B<strong>on</strong>esi will plan <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> implement this web page with the help of Leslie Wright. A draft page will be<br />
produced, hopefully by May-June 2009, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> circulated for comments am<strong>on</strong>gst the specialists in this field <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
OSG nati<strong>on</strong>al representatives.<br />
9 | P a g e
LAURA BONESI<br />
Otter <strong>road</strong> <strong>casualties</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an Otter Workshop 2008 – Moravske Toplice, Slovenia<br />
3) Once the page is approved Laura will ask for published material, grey literature (e.g. nati<strong>on</strong>al reports), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> useful<br />
web sites (e.g. Anna Roos menti<strong>on</strong>ed the GBIF) related to this subject to be linked <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hosted <strong>on</strong> the OSG <strong>road</strong><br />
kills web page.<br />
4) A protocol for necroscopies is currently being developed by a collaborati<strong>on</strong> of different <str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an groups<br />
interested in the subject. Hugh Jansman gave a presentati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> this at the EOW08. This protocol will be<br />
discussed further <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> an agreed protocol will be presented <strong>on</strong> the web page (Laura will c<strong>on</strong>tact the necroscopies<br />
group).<br />
5) Likewise tissue banks are <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> need to be implemented in different <str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an countries. There is interest in<br />
sharing <str<strong>on</strong>g>informati<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> about the existence of such samples. It is possible to exploit the OSG <strong>road</strong> kill web site to<br />
share <str<strong>on</strong>g>informati<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> about the existence of tissue banks. A discussi<strong>on</strong> will be initiated regarding this issue. Liz<br />
Chadwick <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Margarida Santos-Reis will initially be c<strong>on</strong>tacted by Laura regarding this issue.<br />
6) Andreas Kranz announced a workshop <strong>on</strong> necroscopies to be held in May 2008.<br />
7) For the moment the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Europe</str<strong>on</strong>g>an coordinati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> <strong>otter</strong> <strong>road</strong> kills will <strong>on</strong>ly involve sharing <str<strong>on</strong>g>informati<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g>. If in the<br />
future we think that there is scope for more coordinati<strong>on</strong> am<strong>on</strong>gst countries further acti<strong>on</strong>s can be<br />
implemented.<br />
I hope that I have summarised well enough the outcome of our discussi<strong>on</strong>, but if there are any comments or questi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
please do not hesitate to c<strong>on</strong>tact me. I wish to thank all those that have c<strong>on</strong>tributed by compiling the questi<strong>on</strong>naires<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> by sharing ideas. Let’s hope that all this will be of help to the <strong>otter</strong>!<br />
Best wishes,<br />
Laura B<strong>on</strong>esi<br />
Italy (until January 2008)<br />
Department of Life Sciences<br />
University of Trieste<br />
Via Weiss 2<br />
34127 Trieste<br />
E-mail: lb<strong>on</strong>esi@units.it<br />
UK<br />
73 Riverside Place<br />
CB5 8JF Cambridge<br />
E-mail:b<strong>on</strong>esi.laura@gmail.com<br />
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