Some areas managed as 'otter havens' have been protected against human disturbance and had plenty of vegetation planted (5), building artificial holts may also help the otter (5). In some cases, reintroductions of captive bred otters to parts of the former range have been successful (3), and natural recolonisation has occurred in some areas (2). Under the EC Habitats Directive two areas have been proposed as SACs (Special Areas of Conservation) for the otter. The species action plan produced as part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) aims to maintain and expand existing populations and ensure that by the year 2010, breeding populations have been restored to all catchments and coastal areas where post-1960 records exist (5).