FOR-173-Identifying and Addressing River Otter Damage Issues in Kentucky

By Gabriela A. Wolf-Gonzalez, Jonathan A. Matthews, and Matthew Springer
Published on Oct. 31, 2023

River otters (Lontra canadensis) were once abundant throughout North America, but unregulated harvest, water pollution, and overall habitat degradation decimated river otter populations across the contiguous United States. By the early 1900s, river otters were scarce in Kentucky; however, due to restoration programs implemented by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), this species has rebounded in the state. River otters can now be found throughout Kentucky.

Authors: Jonathan Matthews, Matthew Springer, Gabriela Wolf-Gonzalez

Wildlife Wildlife - Springer Wildlife Management