River Deerness otters ‘sign of a resilient ecosystem’

Regular sightings of otters on a river are a sign of a healthy local ecosystem, a charity has said.

The Wear Rivers Trust said evidence of the mammals living on the River Deerness in County Durham showed the area was home to a diverse range of wildlife.

A local resident spotted otters 38 times on his trail camera last year, while environmental groups regularly find otter droppings – known as spraints – in the area.

The charity’s volunteering and engagement office, Daniel Rutland, said the “apex predators” were a “flagship species” and their presence meant there were lots of other animals around.