THE OTTER IN BRITAIN. By Peter J. Neville.

1981 1st edition. 8vo (140 x 222mm). Pp192. B/w photographs, bibliography. Olive cloth, spine titled in silver-gilt.

"The otter is one of the most mysterious, interesting and rare forms of British wildlife. Once a common sight on our waterways it is now in grave danger of disappearing from large areas of the British countryside - and it is already absent from some regions and maintains only a fragile existence in others. This book deals mainly with the contemporary situation following the drastic decline in the otter population after 1956. The otter has been an inhabitant of the British Isles since at least the last Ice Age. This is the story of its survival in an increasingly hostile environment, its evolution, habitat and way of life. The activities of conservationists, hunters and public bodies in helping to ensure that the otter does not die out completely are examined, and an assessment is made of the status of the otter in other parts of the world. The book presents, in lively and informative fashion, most of what is known about one of the most fascinating of Britain's native creatures. As a comprehensive account of the otter's struggle for survival it will be of interest to all who wish to learn more about the endangered wildlife of our countryside." Chapters include: The otter - a way of life; The struggle for survival; Hunts and hounds; The wetlands - otter habitat; Decline and disaster; The world-wide story; A new beginning, or the beginning of the end?