CHUDLEIGH locals were stunned to see a furry friend making its way through Chudleigh Leat this week, as captured by local Don Armand. Throughout the Teign Valley, otter numbers are increasing along the river. Otter signs are infrequently found around the urban areas of Newton Abbot, where the river is joined by the rivers Lemon, Bovey, and Aller, emptying into the Teign Estuary.

Otters are not just rare, but are also nocturnal, shy and elusive. Because of this, sightings are rare, particularly surrounding urban areas.

Devon has always been a stronghold for otters, but during the 1950s and 60s populations crashed.

By the 1970s, otter numbers had fallen by 75% in Devon and by 90% in other parts of England, with complete populations wiped out in some areas. In the 1970s and 1980s it seemed a realistic prospect that otters could become extinct in this country.

The cause of the devastation was found to be mainly due to water contamination by chemicals used for intensive farming and industry.

Organochlorines and other chemicals were leaching into rivers and streams, poisoning fish, killing some otters outright and causing others to become infertile.