Igneada Longoz Forest National Park lakes of Mert and Erikli population status of the otter (Lutra lutra L.)

This study is the determination of the otter (Lutra lutra L.) population status in Mert and Erikli Lakes in İğneada Longoz Forests National Park. It was carried out via periodical field studies every month between May 2019 and May 2021. In Mert and Erikli lakes, indirect observation signs of otters (feces, footprints, sound, hair, eating-biting, nesting signs) were searched by walking along the lake ecosystem. As a result of these observations, no signs of the species were found. In addition, bearing the areas where the local shepherds and hunters in the region saw the species before this study during the thesis in mind, 6 camera traps were set up in the determined locations in the light of this information. No otters were found in the established photo traps. In order to see the otter directly, observations were made on a canoe in Lake Mert and with telescopes and binoculars from two particular locations overlooking the lake in Lake Erikli. In Mert Lake, tented camps were built so that the species could be observed in its habitat at night and in the early morning hours. This study shows that otters are often encountered with in both lakes. The number of locations where otters are detected is 14 in Lake Mert and 8 in Lake Erikli, and these locations are all marked on the map,and the population status of otters in the lakes was defined.