It is heartening to see that otters have been able to turn the tide, and after being close to extinction, can now be found in every county in England.
Wildlife experts at the Environment Agency have confirmed that there are at least two otters in Kent, which have built their holts on the river Medway and the river Eden.
The two sightings have delighted conservationists, who previously predicted that otters may not be resident in the county for another ten years.
Alastair Driver, the Environment Agency’s national conservation manager, said: "The recovery of otters from near-extinction shows how far we’ve come in controlling pollution and improving water quality.
"Rivers in England are the healthiest for over 20 years, and otters, salmon and other wildlife are returning to many rivers for the first time since the industrial revolution.
"The fact that otters are now returning to Kent is the final piece in the jigsaw for otter recovery in England and is a symbol of great success for everybody involved in otter conservation.
"It is also a fantastic reward for all of the Environment Agency’s efforts in improving the water quality and ecology of England’s rivers."
Otters, which were nearly extinct in the 1970s, have recovered thanks to a ban on harmful pesticides and legal protections that makes it an offence to intentionally kill or harm the animal.
Otters continue to recover in other parts of the UK too, with a recent survey on the river Ribble in Lancashire showing a 44% increase in the numbers of otters since 2008.
The River Ribble is one of 10 rivers taking part in a pilot project which aims to get wildlife organisations, farmers, businesses and the local community to take co-ordinated action to further improve the health of UK rivers.
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