Protecting the European otter and its habitat within the cross-border Skadar Lake National Park

Challenge 

The project aimed to improve Eurasian otter protection by completing and updating monitoring data, addressing its IUCN Red List status as “Near threatened” and the decline in number, which is often caused by the destruction of otter habitat through anthropogenic activities. Because Lake Skadar is shared by two countries, safeguarding the species also promotes cross-border conservation cooperation.

Objective

The project aimed to deliver a verified cross-border assessment of the otter population in Lake Skadar within one year, improve monitoring protocols, and provide authorities with reliable data for reporting towards relevant International Conventions.. It also sought to strengthen cooperation between Albania and Montenegro and raise public awareness through education and citizen science.

Approach

The project achieved its goals by:

• Two monitoring seasons in Albania and Montenegro
• Recommendations aiming at park authorities and national institutions
• Engaging communities through training, workshops, and citizen science
• Creating educational material, a brochure, and an animated video
• Organizing a final cross-border conference for protected area managers

Achieved Results

The project surveyed otters on Lake Skadar, confirming them at key sites in Albania and Montenegro, and produced two national and one joint report to support Bern Convention reporting. Over 45 young people were trained, citizen science launched, threats recorded, and awareness raised. There is now better data and cooperation for protecting otters in Lake Skadar.