A few decades ago, catching a glimpse of an otter in Dorset’s countryside was almost unthinkable. These secretive, semi-aquatic mammals had all but vanished from our rivers and wetlands—driven out by pollution, habitat destruction, and hunting.

But today, thanks to years of dedicated conservation work, the otter has made a remarkable return to the rivers, streams, and reedbeds of Dorset. From the chalk-fed River Frome to the reed-fringed edges of Radipole Lake, Dorset is once again otter country.

Otters were once widespread across Dorset, but by the 1970s, they were gone from much of the county.

The main reasons?

Polluted rivers: Chemicals like DDT and dieldrin leached into the water, building up in fish—and then in the otters that ate them.

Habitat loss: Riverbanks were cleared, wetlands drained, and otter holts destroyed.

Persecution: Otters were hunted as pests, especially by fishery owners.

By the late 20th century, otters remained only in a few isolated parts of the UK. Dorset’s rivers were no longer safe for them.

Dorset became part of a nationwide conservation turnaround that gave otters a fighting chance—and they took it.

1. Cleaner Rivers

The banning of harmful pesticides in the 1980s allowed fish populations to recover.

Sewage treatment improved dramatically across Dorset’s river systems.

2. Legal Protection

Otters were protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

It is now illegal to disturb them or damage their holts (dens).

3. Habitat Restoration in Dorset

Organisations like Dorset Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, and Wessex Water invested in riverbank restoration.

Natural features like reedbeds, backwaters, and undisturbed banks were reintroduced or protected.

4. Local Monitoring

Groups such as the Dorset Mammal Group began tracking otter sightings and signs, helping to build a clear picture of the species’ return.

Otters are now found across much of Dorset, including:

River Frome

This chalk stream is one of Dorset’s otter strongholds, with fish-rich waters flowing from Maiden Newton to Poole Harbour.

Otters have been regularly spotted near Moreton, Woodsford, and Wareham.

River Stour

Otters have recolonised the Stour and its tributaries, often seen near Sturminster Newton, Blandford Forum, and Canford Magna.

Radipole Lake & Lodmoor (Weymouth)

Managed by the RSPB, these reserves are not just havens for birds—they’re also home to a small but growing population of otters.

Urban Waterways

Yes—otters have even been seen in urban areas like Wimborne, Bridport, Poole and Dorchester, often under cover of night.

While they’re shy and mostly nocturnal, you can still find signs of otters if you know what to look for:

Best time to try spotting one? Early morning or at dusk, especially after rain when rivers are running high.

Otters are more than just charming river dwellers—they are top predators and an indicator of ecosystem health.

A healthy otter population means clean rivers and strong fish stocks.

Their comeback shows that habitat restoration and pollution control really do work.

Protecting otters helps protect a whole host of other species—from water voles and dragonflies to kingfishers and trout.

Otter recovery is a success story—but it’s not the end of the story.

Key ongoing threats:

Road deaths – otters often crossroads near rivers, especially at culverts and bridges at times of high flows in rivers.

Development pressure – construction along riverbanks can destroy or fragment otter habitats.

Water pollution – though improved, nutrient runoff and sewage spills still pose a risk.

Groups like Dorset Wildlife Trust, Dorset Mammal Group Otter Project, and local volunteers continue to monitor otters, improve river connectivity, and lobby for safer road crossings.

Once a ghost of Dorset’s past, the otter is now very much a part of its present—and future. Their return reminds us that even heavily damaged ecosystems can heal with time, effort, and care.

So next time you walk the banks of the Frome, or pause at a bridge over the Stour, keep your eyes on the water’s edge. Look for a ripple, a low splash, a soft print in the mud or have a sniff of a possible spraint.

You may just witness a true symbol of wild resilience—the Dorset otter, back where it belongs.