THE Brecknock Wildlife Trust, along with the other five trusts in Wales, has been engaged in a wide range of projects and activities for the conservation of otters.

At this time of year, when river flows are high, large numbers of otters are killed on the roads and orphan otter cubs are found in distressed circumstances.

There are several ways that the public can help the conservation action for otters, including becoming a member of their local wildlife trust.

That could lead to them becoming involved with volunteer activities such as the Brecknock Trust's otter group, which carries out survey activities looking for signs of the creatures along local rivers.

The group also builds artificial log pile holts to provide secure resting places.

People should also contact their local trust with details of otter sightings, always a useful record of when, where and what the otter was doing. Such sightings, especially when cubs are seen, is constantly adding to local knowledge.

Otter road casualties are investigated so people should ensure the trust can recover the body, which is analysed and the organs examined for residues of pesticides, heavy metals and the like.

The otter is top of the food chain for the river environment and the condition of the animal reflects the health of the river.

The road site is also assessed to determine if any modifications to the fencing or other features would prevent another death.

If anyone comes across what might seem to be a lost or abandoned otter cub, they should not intervene until several hours have lapsed and they are sure this is the case.

There are sad incidents recorded of the distressed mother otter returning and calling for her cub when people have stepped in too quickly. A mother otter most often has two cubs and moves them occasionally between holts, moving first one and then the other.

Otter cubs taken into care need to be looked after until they are about a year old, with a minimum of human contact to preserve their wild instincts.

If they are healthy and retain sufficient independence, they are released back to the area where they were originally found.