A possible method for estimating River Otter, Lutra canadensis, populations using snow tracks

Abstract

A possible method for estimating the size of a River Otter, Lutra canadensis, population is described.The various potential sampling errors which might result from misinterpretation of snow tracks and other survey characteristics are described.The relative advantages and disadvantages of the proposed technique are compared with those of other population estimation techniques for River Otters which use sign surveys, scent attractant with track boards, or radioactive labelling of individual otters.The use of snow tracks as a population estimation technique would be the least expensive but still requires substantial manpower to achieve population estimates with reasonable precision.