This GIS dataset holds positive records from the National Otter Survey of Ireland 2004/2005. The third Otter Survey of Ireland was carried out between August 2004 and August 2005. A total of 525 sites were included in the survey, distributed widely across the country, although concentrated in areas where Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) have been designated for the species.

The survey was carried out to establish the current status of otters in Ireland, and to formulate recommendations for the species monitoring. The otter is listed in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive, and results of the survey were used in the Article 17 Conservation Status Assessments for the species.

The survey report has been published as Irish Wildlife Manual No.23. Citation: Bailey, M. and Rochford J. (2006) Otter Survey of Ireland 2004/2005. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 23. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.