Safety project to cut otter deaths
Otters in Killin are to benefit from new safety measures on a busy stretch of road.
Reflective barriers being installed along the A827 will allow passing wildlife to cross safely.
The move comes after the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) named road deaths as the key reason that UK otters have a shorter lifespan than those in other countries.
The project, led by Environmental Action Killin (EAK), was supported by Stirling Council and Robertson Civil Engineering, which carried out the installation works on a stretch of road near its Acharn biomass facility where a number of otters have been killed.
Highway Barrier Solutions provided traffic management and lighting support and with the Callander branch of the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Killin and Ardeonaig Community Trust provided wildlife reflectors and stakes and bollards respectively.
Rosemary Third from EAK said: “Following the loss of a healthy female adult otter earlier in the year – the second in the same area – we decided to take action to help ensure this beautiful, iconic species is protected for generations to come.
“In the past their population has been decimated by hunting, habitat loss, disturbance, use of pesticides and pollution. Now the greatest threat comes from our roads.
“I very much hope this successful project leads the way in inspiring future partnerships between businesses and conservation groups and becomes an integral part of planning and practice internationally.”
Stirling Council’s environment convenor Jim Thomson said: “We work continuously to protect our local wildlife and were keen to help develop a proposal that would deter otters from crossing the road when vehicles are present.
“The installation of the protective road barriers was a combined effort by our officers, the developer and EAK and is a great proactive response that we hope will protect the otters from further harm.”
Bob Gould from Robertson Civil Engineering said: “Environmental best practice systems are embedded into all our core activities so when EAK raised the issue of otter deaths related to road use in the area we decided to offer our full support in ensuring the area around our Acharn facility is equipped to help safeguard the future of this important species.”
IOSF offered technical advice, with local insights and information provided by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, who are also getting local schools interested in the project and otter conservation.