Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – An otter was seen in Blaasveldbroek (Willebroek), a sign of cleaner water and healthy nature. WWF’s Hans Moyson says it’s “very good news.” Wildlife tunnels help otters return. Otters need quiet, connected, green areas.
As VRT News reported, the WWF is happy to see an otter in the Blaasveldbroek nature reserve in Willebroek near Mechelen, Belgium. Otters only live where the water is clean, there are many fish, and the banks of the river are healthy. Hans Moyson of the WWF says this is
“very good news for nature.”
He mentioned that Otters used to be gone from much of Belgium because of problems like pollution. Now, they are coming back because of conservation efforts. Another otter was seen nearby last year. It might be the same otter, and it might be starting to live in the area.
Is the Otter’s return near Mechelen a sign of nature’s recovery?
Hans Moyson from WWF explains that otters are shy animals that need certain things to live. They do best in places like marshes, rivers, and ponds, but they also need lots of plants growing along the edges. These plants help otters hide, rest, and raise their young safely.
He mentioned that because otters are sensitive, even small changes in their environment can make them leave. So, it’s important to protect these natural areas and also connect them. This way, otters and other animals can move around easily and safely to find food, mates, and good homes.
Organisations such as WWF, the Agency for Nature and Forests, and the Antwerp Province are collaborating to link up nature reserves. They construct items such as road tunnels, so the animals can travel over safely. A wildlife tunnel in Willebroek helps animals avoid getting hit by cars. They mentioned that these tunnels are very important for animals like otters, which often cross roads.
In the Netherlands, many otters die in traffic accidents. Officials mentioned that safe crossings are very important to help otters survive. The otter seen in Blaasveldbroek might have used this tunnel.
Otters are timid creatures that are typically nocturnal, meaning it is special to spot them. They don’t enjoy being close to people, so spotting them is difficult. Due to this, those who work to preserve nature utilise items such as dark-sight cameras and search for droppings and tracks to determine if they have otters present.
