OUTDOOR INDIANA

published bimonthly by the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources
402 W. Washington St. Rm. W255-B
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2748

Subscription rate: $15.
Make checks or money orders payable to: Outdoor Indiana

Tippecanoe and otters, too
This reintroduction project is funded almost exclusively by donations to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund, line 2 of the Indiana state income tax form.

Seventy-five otters were released at three separate sites across Indiana in January as part of efforts by the DNR's Division of Fish & Wildlife to re-introduce the animals to Indiana.

Twenty-five otters were released at each of two sites in the Tippecanoe River basin, and another 25 otters were released at Jefferson Proving Grounds. Public receptions provided an opportunity for wildlife watchers and restoration supporters to cheer on the otters.

This year's otters supplement otters released in January 1995 at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Seymour, Inc. Currently, 20 of the original otters are believed too be alive an thriving in southern Indiana.

River otters, once a common species in Indiana, disappeared from the state around 1942 due to deteriorating water quality, unregulated fur trapping and wetland drainage.

The goal of this project is to release 325 river otters into six areas of the state by 1999. This reintroduction project is funded almost exclusively by donations to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund, line 2 of the Indiana state income tax form.

A news release from Outdoor Indiana magazine, March/April 1996, p.2