Country diary: The grisly beauty of an otter postmortem | Gwyneth Lewis

Cardiff University's Otter Project received Otter No. 4,888 in November 2024, a female found deceased near the River Cefni on Anglesey. This otter, like the majority of the approximately 200 animals dissected annually by the project, was a victim of roadkill. The project collects data from dead otters across the UK to monitor their health and population status. The specimen was frozen after discovery and transported to the university for a postmortem examination. During the examination, the otter's body appeared largely intact, with only a mark on its hind left leg and some nasal bleeding noted. The detailed observation allowed for close examination of its physical characteristics, including its whiskers, chin marking, and webbed feet pads. The Otter Project at Cardiff University plays a crucial role in understanding the challenges faced by otter populations, with road traffic accidents being a primary cause of mortality.