The Hungarian government is not able to support this work because of the lack of financial sources. We have to continue our activities and we need funding and volunteers. The Hungarian news agency MTI reported Pepo's estimate that this was only about 15 per cent of the total fish kill, and that an additional 15 per cent is likely to have drifted down the Tisza into Yugoslavia. Hungary plays a key role in saving otters and their habitats because the protection and growth of otters in the Carpathian Basin is the seed for re-establishing otter populations in the West. Otters like this one in Hungary hold hope for regeneration of otter populations throughout Europe.
Otters occupy the top of the food chain and are important indicators of environmental quality.
According to the surveys conducted by Gera's group there are between 1,500 and 2,000 otters living in Hungary and in the Czech Republic. In Western Europe the whole otter population includes about 700 to 800 otters. The main causes of otter decline in Western European countries are the destruction of wetland habitats and water pollution. Poaching is on the rise, and populations are fragmented and isolated. In Central and Eastern Europe, strong otter populations still exist, but Gera says significant deterioration is evident.