Carrie Nugent on Otters

    On Nov. 22 Carrie Nugent gave a talk on otters and a study she is doing on otters that have recently shown up west of Rocky Mountain House. 

     First Carrie gave a history of where otters have been residents. They are found  across North America except for  arctic areas.

    Next we were given a description of otters and their features. Otters eat mostly fish but they eat many other things like birds, insects and other mammals. Otters need open water. They have some novel ways to gain access to open water. They can use old beaver lodges, muskrat breathing holes and natural openings through the ice.

    Otters have gained notice the last few years as sport fishermen are concerned that otters may interfere with the fishery. So the study Carrie is going to carry out will look at the number of otters , where they move and what they eat.

     Then Carrie described in detail how her study was going to take place. She also got a few volunteers who would go out and use antenna to try and connect to the otters radio transmitters.

    Carrie's presentation was both interesting and informative. Some people who have a great interest in otters kept her for a half an hour after the end of the presentation asking more questions. 

    So if you want an interesting speaker for your group, contact Carrie Nugent.