An otter has been spotted in the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve in Flevoland, the forestry commission said at the weekend.

The otter, recorded on film, is likely to be related to a group of otters released into the Weerribben nature reserve, some 10 years ago, the commission said in a press release. The reserve is around 55 km north east of the Oostvarderplassen.

‘This shows the ecological network works,’ the spokesman said. The ecological network (Ecologische Hoofdstructuur) is a system of green corridors connecting national parks and rural areas, to allow wildlife to spread.

Otters disappeared from the Netherlands some 50 years ago but are now being reintroduced in some areas. There are thought to be around 60 in the wild.