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OUR HISTORY
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We support otter conservation worldwide, wetland species and habitats through education and funding.
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The Otter Trust is a UK charity, established in 1971. We support otter conservation worldwide, wetland species and habitats through education and funding.
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The Trust is a registered charity and was founded by Philip and Jeanne Wayre in 1971. After searching for several years for a suitable site upon which to set up the Trust's headquarters and keep its collection of otters they purchased River Farm at Earsham near Bungay in 1975. The collection of otters which you could formally see there was the largest in the world.
Thanks to the Otter Trusts reintroduction programme, the otter population is flourishing.
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Philip and Jeanne Wayre in 1971
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Philip Wayre
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In several countries of Europe notably the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany the number of otters has declined alarmingly since the 1970s and 80s and in many areas it is on the verge of extinction. The otter's position in England and Wales was formally so critical that the otter was added to the list of animals protected by law. Today the position is not quite so serious. The natural population in the extreme west of England and Wales which survived the low point of the 1970s and 80s is now increasing slowly naturally while in the east of the country, thanks to the Otter Trust's reintroduction programme, the otter population is burgeoning and moving towards the west. The position in Scotland is satisfactory particularly along the west coast and in the outer islands.
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past 25 years
The Otter Trust, the work that it does and the success that it has had over the past 25 years. The Trust is the oldest and largest Otter conservation body in the UK and apart from its highly successful reintroduction programme it has been actively involved in practical conservation since its foundation. The Trust employs scientific staff to carry out this work and they are ably supported by a number of dedicated volunteers.
the Trust's work
Their work includes otter population surveys and research. The Trust has always been active in rousing public support for any legislation likely to protect otters and other wetland wildlife. Education is an important aspect of the Trust's work and interpretive centres have been set up at each of its three branches. They are particularly geared to our young visitors and to visiting school parties. The Trust's interests are not confined to otters, but include conservation of all wildlife associated with wetlands and other areas where otters are also found.
We hope that our sites at Dickleburgh and Earsham will continue the conservation and education legacy of our founder and that through fundraising, donations and legacies we are able to support wider conservation aims.
Charity no. 263103
Philip Wayre and David Attenbourough
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"The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water and air. It is the most precious thing we have and we need to defend it.””
