Аннотация:Abstract The paper describes the establishment of an electronic data base for records of the Eurasian Otter, Lutra lutra, in Turkey, with the aim of fostering both for scientific research, conservation, and public awareness-building. The data base is available through the internet, and went online in 2002. It currently encompasses 195 Otter records, which are classified according to the experience of observer. The data base helps to stimulate the interchange of information among various experts and to begin cooperative work. The results of the data base show that the Otter distribution extends over all parts of Turkey. The concentrations of records in some areas such as the Aegean and some parts of the Black Sea region can be explained by the activity pattern of observers, rather than by a greater abundance of the species there. Whereas records come from a wide spectrum of habitats such as rivers, creeks, lakes and river deltas, it seems that barrage lakes are not inhabited by Otters. Only a few records come from areas above 1000 m a.s.l. The species is threatened throughout the country, and is still hunted. Pollution is thought to have a major effect on the status and distribution pattern, but there are a few records from relatively polluted lakes in western Turkey.
