otter news - International Otter Survival Fund

OTTER NEWS
from the International Otter Survival Fund
No 49 Spring 2008
It has been such a
busy time since we
last wrote and cubs
have been coming
in thick and fast.
OTTERS - THE
FORGOTTEN VICTIMS
OF WILDLIFE
CRIME
Places are still available
on our Wildlife
trips, but be quick
not to miss out.
IUCN OTTER
SPECIALISTS
GROUP MEET
IN KOREA
IUCN OTTER SPECIALISTS GROUP MEET IN KOREA
Every three years the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Otter Specialists Group meet
and in 2007 the Colloquium was held in Korea. In Otter News 46 we said how the
otter has been made the symbol of peace between North and South Korea and so
it seemed a very fitting venue. More than 140 delegates attended from all over the
world and the programme for the meeting was very intensive with papers on all sorts
of otter-related topics.
IOSF’s Paul Yoxon presented a paper on
the worrying fur trade which was very
well received and as a result, action is
being taken to combat this threat to
otters – more of that later!
The Koreans are very hospitable people
and in the evenings we were treated to
traditional dance and music. There was an
excursion to see the site of the proposed
new Otter Research Centre and we
were also able to visit the De-Militarised
Zone. It is very strange looking over the
landscape to North Korea knowing that
the two peoples are closely related and
yet still regard each other as “the enemy”.
Hopefully they will one day fall under
the influence of the symbol of peace, the
otter.
Paul & Grace with Dr. Feeroz of Bangladesh at the Colloquim in
Korea (photo: Dr. Feeroz)
OTTERS - THE FORGOTTEN VICTIMS
OF WILDLIFE CRIME
On the last day of the conference in Korea, a small group of concerned people decided
that the talking must stop and action must start. As a result IOSF launched its new
anti-fur campaign “Furget-me-not”.
We decided on the name ‘Furget-me-not’ as the otter is the forgotten victim of the
wildlife trade. Everyone always thinks about tigers and leopards or elephant ivory, but
the trade in otter furs is huge.
We first reported on this in Otter News 44 with an update in News 48, however, the
information that we received in Korea is that the situation is far worse than we had
thought. For every tiger skin found there are at least ten otter furs and one haul in
Lhasa revealed 778 otter skins. In Cambodia there was a haul of 7 otter skins and 6 of
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IOSF - International Otter Survival Fund
these were from the hairy nosed otter. This species was believed to be extinct in 1998
but small isolated populations have been found in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and
Sumatra. At this rate of hunting the hairy nosed otter will very soon actually become
extinct and this time there will be no great discovery of remnant populations.
778 otter skins from one haul (photo: Conservation International Cambodia [CIC])
Not only that, but otters are disappearing
rapidly from India, simply to supply this
market and in places the smooth-coated
otter is under severe threat.
We are starting work in Cambodia as we
made good contacts from that country
when in Korea and so many otters
are going from there. Just recently we
received an email saying skins from 10
smooth coated otters and 6 hairy nosed
had just been found. This is the tip of the
iceberg as this is only one small area and
just one find.
The main market for the furs is Tibet,
where otter fur forms part of the national
dress, the chupa – one chupa may have
skins from as many as six otters! (See
News 48)
In many countries wildlife crime is not
seen as a matter of high priority and
therefore there is only minimal effort
in terms of money and enforcement.
However the UN regards it as a serious
issue of trans-national organised crime,
second only after guns, which even has
a negative impact on the economy and
social structure of the countries involved.
The new Furget-me-not campaign will
raise funds to start immediate work at the
Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia using a team
of researchers already working there. The
Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in
Southeast Asia and was designated as a
UNESCO biosphere in 1997. It is home to
three species of otter: the Asian smallclawed, smooth-coated and the hairynosed.
The only hairy-nosed otter in captivity
is in a zoo in Pnomh Penh. He is
called Dara, which is Cambodian for
“precious”, and he symbolises the
importance of this campaign. (Picture
page 4)
The team will train local rangers and
www.otter.org 3
government staff to ensure the legal protection of otters is enforced and encourage
local communities to take part in the otter conservation programme.
Most otters are captured by fishermen who are very poor and simply seek to earn
additional money. By engaging these fishermen into the research and conservation of
the otters instead of shunning them as hunters and problematic villagers, we can give
these people an otter-friendly alternative to their destructive activities and provide
real protection for the otters.
IOSF is launching this campaign to combat the otter fur trade as a matter of urgency
because without doubt this illegal trade is threatening the otters’ future existence.
AND SO WE NEED YOUR HELP
There are two things we need you
to do:
1. Help us raise funds to provide
educational material for local
communities in Cambodia and to
train the rangers to recognise the
importance of otters and ensure the
legal protection is enforced.
Please do what you can – hold a coffee
morning or car boot sale, sell some
of your unwanted goods on Ebay, do
something sponsored. You could even
run a marathon!
We have a downloadable poster for
you to publicise your event and we
will be producing leaflets and larger
posters for display in the near future.
Please check
www.furgetmenot.org.uk for updates.
Dara at Pnomh Penh Zoo. ( photo CIC)
2. We must raise awareness of the
importance of otters and the threat
from this vicious trade. Tell your friends,
forward the website to your email
address book, contact your local press.
You can find out more by going to
www.furgetmenot.org.uk or through the link on our own website.
Please send cheques marked “Furget-me-not” on the back or donate at
www.ottershop.co.uk. Thanks
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IOSF - International Otter Survival Fund
ANNUAL REPORT
For the financial year 2006-2007
Below is a summary of the Annual Report. You can find the full report on our website
or alternatively contact us and we will send you a printed copy.
Again 2006/2007 has been an extremely successful year for IOSF, both in our local
work and internationally.
UK
Research
•Shetland: Continued long-term study of Shetland otters – numbers appear to be
going down but the cause is, as yet, unknown.
•Road mitigation: Led conference on road mitigation organised by the Cheshire
Wildlife Trust.
•Biological Recording: Continues as biological recording centre and as Secretariat
to the Highland Biological Recording Group.
•Island Surveys: Carried out survey of North Uist.
•Otter post mortems: Met with Dr Adrian Philbey from Glasgow Vet School who is
keen to do the work. IOSF is actively seeking funding and is in negotiations with
the Scottish Executive for this.
Campaigns
•Snares: IOSF continues to support the complete ban of snares. During this year
a Prime Minister’s e-petition was set up and the Scottish Executive published a
Consultation Document showing a majority of 2:1 in favour of a complete ban.
•Local campaigns: Supported local campaign to protect otters in the River Lune,
Cumbria, which were threatened by development. This was eventually turned
down in October 2007 – a positive step to show that local councils can uphold
conservation legislation.
Education
•Children’s “Let’s find out about Otters” pack: Published with the support of the
Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation.
•Broadford Wildlife Club: The club for local primary school children continues and
now children of some of the original club members attend!
•Ullapool: Participated in environment day for schools in June.
•Various courses: have been run including training in the recognition of otter www.otter.org
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ANNUAL REPORT
For the financial year 2006-2007
secondary signs and surveying.
•Speakers: Provided speakers for Aberdeen University Extra Mural Department
programme throughout the Highlands and also natural history groups further
afield.
Rescue and Rehabilitation
•Otters: 9 otters were taken into the sanctuary during this year and two from the
previous year were released.
•Other casualties: Include the usual autumn arrival of Manx shearwaters, a great
skua (bonxie), hedgehogs, heron, seabirds, and baby birds.
INTERNATIONAL
IUCN
IOSF has been asked to act as Secretariat to the IUCN (World Conservation Union)
Otter Specialist Group. Jim Conroy is the Chairman.
Research
•The Netherlands: Attended conference on road mitigation to speak on the use of
wildlife warning reflectors. As otters are just in the process of being re-introduced
to this country any losses on the roads are disastrous.
•Ireland: Paul Yoxon was honoured to open the new otter facilities at the Irish SPCA
headquarters in County Longford.
•Nepal: A workshop (partially funded by IOSF) was held on “Survey techniques and
monitoring otter populations” for rangers and conservationists in Royal Chitwan
National Park, Nepal. IOSF had hoped to send a representative but with political
unrest prevalent the Foreign Office advised against westerners travelling there at
that time.
•Mexico: A project was carried out in the three rivers of Temascaltepec to see
which habitat features influence the distribution of the Neotropical otter (Lontra
longicaudis).
•Italy: Supported campaign by local people in Serre Persano, southern Italy, to
prevent the re-opening of a huge rubbish dump near the protected area of Oasi
di Persano. The campaign was successful and the government transferred the
location to another site.
•Chile: Project to find a means of estimating populations of the Sea Cat (Marine Otter,
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International otter Survival Fund
ANNUAL REPORT
For the financial year 2006-2007
Lontra felina) and public awareness campaign, particularly for fishing communities,
with the first Sea Cat conservation strategy at regional level.
•Spain: Continuing work on a publication giving an accurate means of estimating
otter and mink populations. This is being done in collaboration with the Biologica
Department of the Catalonian government.
•Bangladesh: Supported Dr Feeroz who set up the Wildlife Rescue Centre in
Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh, caring for otters confiscated from fishermen,
teaching people about otters and trying to stop poaching.
•Fur Campaign: IOSF first became aware of the huge trade in otter furs as compared
with small scale poaching. The scale of the problem is massive - for example, 1833
otter skins found for sale in Linxia, China. As a result a report was written for CITES
and IOSF is investigating further.
THANKS
As ever, we are extremely grateful to all the countless supporters who have donated
towards our work. Some people have raised funds through car boot sales, fayres,
sponsored walks, recycling ink cartridges, donating instead of Christmas presents,
etc. Each donation, no matter how small, is invaluable and without this help we could
not achieve all the vital projects summarised above.
In particular we are grateful to the following for their support:
The H.B Allen Charitable Trust, The Animal Defence Trust,
Jean Barnard, A.S. Butler Charitable Trust, Gordon Fraser
Charitable Trust, The Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation, The
Langdale Trust, Lisl Sihver & John Longhurst, The Mackintosh
Foundation, The Miller Foundation, Mr&Mrs K. Moug, The Bill &
Margaret Nicol Charitable Trust, The Shirley Pugh Foundation,
Radley Trust, Robertson Trust, Peter Storrs Trust, Walker 597
Animal Trust, HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust.
www.otter.org
7
OTTERS IN CARE
It has been such a busy time since we last wrote and cubs have been coming in thick
and fast.
Ceud now has a pal, Rowan, who came to us via the Sea Life Centre in Oban. He had
been hit by a car and was partially paralysed, so was cared for by Tina at the Centre
until he had recovered enough to travel. When he arrived he showed no signs of his
accident and was tucking straight into fish!
After a period of isolation he was introduced to Ceud, who was less than impressed!!
She did not touch him at all but spent the whole of the first night yelling at him, poor
soul. By the next day she had calmed down and now they are the best of friends. In fact
whenever we go to check them she is the one protecting him and he hides behind!
They are now in a croft pen and have a snug warm bed in the hay which is really
important in this freezing weather.
Ceud and Rowan
The real influx of cubs came in November/December. It started with little Rufus from
Poolewe, who was followed three days later by one from Aberdeen, but the new arrival
died the first night.
At the beginning of December we had a call from Norman Elder of Wildlife NI in
Northern Ireland. He had a cub and asked if we could take it. It seemed an excellent
opportunity to have a friend for Rufus and as it was about the same distance to Skye
as to the ISPCA Centre in Longford we decided to bring him here.
Norman was willing to make the journey over but by the time he left he had acquired
a second cub!
Four days later and another phone call from the Scottish SPCA in Middlebank – another
cub, this time from Peebles. Now we thought, OK keep the two Irish ones together and
put this one with Rufus.
Surprise, surprise, by the time this one arrived it too had turned into two, as another
cub had been found at exactly the same place - twins! So that was six cubs in four
weeks and they seemed to be everywhere.
The Peebles cubs were drinking milk from a bowl which was great, and one of the Irish
was eating, but the other Irish cub wouldn’t touch anything himself even though he
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IOSF - International Otter Survival Fund
was certainly big enough. He was very
enthusiastic about his bottle though
– so much so that with his needle-like
teeth he would virtually go through a
teat every feed so we resorted to using
a syringe instead.
But then things turned sour. With all the
new arrivals we moved Rufus out of the
cub unit and into another small indoor
pen, which he hated. He went right off his
food and was very miserable.The Peebles
cubs were now in his old pen and so we
decided to put the three together. At first
all seemed well and Rufus seemed to be
a bit happier but then he went rapidly
downhill and died.
And things got worse as the younger of
the Peebles twins also took a turn for the
worse and died.
Now we were really worried as the female
from Peebles, Pebbles, was naturally upset
and she too went off her food. It was a
long battle to entice her back and we had
to go back to feeding her by hand, but
little by little she recovered and we are
delighted to say that she is now fighting
fit! In fact you can see her in the cub pen
on www.otter-webcam.34sp.com
Pebbles
we kept them in isolation for a while to
ensure they couldn’t pass anything on.
Unlike Ceud and Rowan, when we put
them together they took to each other
at once. The male, Guinness, still refused
to feed himself but by now we were able
to give him pieces of fish using tweezers
and he would take this whilst still being
in his pen. The female, Tipple, soon
caught on to this idea and so would be
right around his feet waiting for “manna
from heaven” when he dropped a bit!
These two have come on so well that
they have now moved out to one of the
nursery pens and you can also watch
them on the webcam.
So what was happening to the Irish two
all this time? As they weren’t related
Tipple and Guiness
www.otter.org
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Our most recent arrival is another cub
from the Scottish SPCA, this time from
Perthshire. When he first arrived, “Tay”
was pretty poorly and so had to spend
the first week in an incubator. Fortunately
he was fairly keen on his bottle so he
has built up some strength and is now
in another indoor cub unit. He is not
feeding himself yet but is very keen on
his delicious soup of mushed up salmon
and otter milk substitute – yummy!
Tay
Meanwhile Catkin and Jeannie are now
back in the wild. Unlike Maverick they
immediately disappeared and became
self-sufficient – maybe this is because
they have each other to depend on.
The otters in Uganda are still doing well and we hope to have some more photos of
them for the next Otter News.
The loss of the two cubs was very upsetting, especially Rufus, who had managed to
“wheedle” his way into our hearts. He was so special and never showed any aggression.
We do wonder, in all honesty, if he ever would have survived in the wild, as if he could
get so upset with a move from one warm place to another, how would he have coped
when released? This we will never know.
Every individual is important but somehow he was extra-special. But I was reminded
that losing him should focus our attention on all the important other things we are
doing – like Furget-me-not, where literally hundreds of otters are dying. Working with
the individuals is vitally important and through it we will channel our efforts to saving
the populations too – this we will look on as Rufus’ legacy.
As you can imagine feeding all these otters is very expensive so if you can help
please send a cheque marked “otter hospital” or you can donate at www.ottershop.
co.uk. Thanks.
You can now choose to have a new otter when you renew your
sponsorship. Just indicate this option online or on your renewal form.
OTTERS ON YOUTUBE
You can see some video footage of our little Tay on YouTube (search : otter & Skye).
See fascinating archive footage of otters from 1912 on YouTube (search : otter footage
& 1912).
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IOSF - International Otter Survival Fund
WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS
Places are still available on the following trips but if you are interested in coming we
would recommend booking as soon as possible. Further information can be found on
www.otter.org/holiday.html or phone 01471 822 487 for more details.
TITLE
DATES
Number COST FITNESS of nights
LEVEL
Otter Survey of Longford, Ireland
12-19 April
7
FULL
1
Wildlife & Heritage of Skye & Raasay
12-17 May
5
£335
1
Walking & Wildlife
26-31 May
5
£315
2
2-7 June
5
£315
1
28 July – 2 August
5
£335
1
15-20 Sept
5
£315
1
Become an Otter Detective
Wildlife & Heritage of Skye & Raasay
Become an Otter Detective
Isle of Skye
OTTER NEWS ON PDF
Help IOSF to put more money into otter conservation by reading your OtterNews
online.
If you are happy to do this please email us at [email protected] quoting
your sponsorship number, and reduce our printing and postage costs. If
you prefer, we are still happy to send out a printed copy to you.
Your OtterNews is now printed on 80% recycled paper.
www.otter.org
11
KENYAN PROJECT TO HELP OTTERS AND PEOPLE
Whilst in Korea we met up with our friend Mordy Ogada from Kenya, who has been
working on the problem of the Louisiana Crayfish and its effect on otters (News 41).
He gave a disturbing paper on the problems facing humans and otters in Lake Victoria.
The spotted-necked otter is a key predator in the inshore and littoral zones, which is
also the mainstay of subsistence fishermen, i.e. those who cannot access deep-water
fisheries due to their inability to afford fishing boats or larger fishing nets.
This has led to increased direct competition between otters and fishermen with a
decline in fish catch and rise in market price for fish over the last six years, and an
increase in “net-raiding” by otters and more crab in the otters’ diet. There are also
severe socio-economic and human health impacts, which are still being researched
by different groups.
Clearly it is necessary for both otters and humans to survive alongside and there must
be enough fish for both to eat and to support a sustainable economy. In order to
do this it is proposed to set up a trial programme of aquaculture operated by the
local community. This will provide an income for the community, a source of fish for
their own consumption and a source of fish for the otters. It will therefore reduce the
competition between otters and humans.
Mangroves are being planted to provide cover for fish and the otters, and precautions
will be taken to make sure the fish are not new strains or hybrids and that they are
parasite free.
Collecting wild fish for genetic testing (photo Mordy Ogada)
The community at Kisumu are already quite environmentally aware and there is a
group of teachers who run Kisumu Science Teachers Otter Conservation Development
Group (KISTOC).
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IOSF - International Otter Survival Fund
Fish sampling for parasites in the growing ponds (photo Mordy Odaga)
This programme will start here and then hopefully other communities on Lake Victoria
will also be encouraged to follow their example.
The fish reared will be tilapia, which are not carnivorous, but are highly dependent on
hippo dung and algae on rocks. In the cages they will be fed a mixture of cow and
chicken manure from the fishermen’s homes. There will also be a lot of natural food
(insect larvae, algae etc.) drifting through the cages, so there will be no little fish to
feed big fish, as in some of the less environmental fish farming industries.
Obviously with recent developments in Kenya the plight of the local communities is
even worse and IOSF has pledged to support this programme to help the people and
thus help the otters. It is essential in conservation to consider the local people as they
will never become involved in protecting their wildlife and the environment if they
simply cannot feed their families.
If you would like to donate to this project please send a cheque marked “Kenya”
or make a donation on www.ottershop.co.uk, again noting that it is for Kenya. We
can assure you that any funds you make will go directly towards the programme
and not disappear into some sort of corrupt black hole.
Also if anyone has a digital camera they no longer use, the teachers of KISTOC
would welcome it to record their environmental work. Please send this to IOSF
and we will make sure it gets there.
And a recent message from Mordy:
“Unfortunately, we have had to put the walkway ‘on hold’ for a few weeks since
half our crew has been displaced by the fighting, but the mangroves are already
sprouting and by the time we are ready to put in the walkway and fish cages, it will
be nice and bushy. Cheers, Mordy”
www.otter.org
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OTTERS IN IRAQ
Mudhafar Salim has recently returned from the field with some useful information
on the situation of otters in Al-Dalmaj Wetlands. He sent the following brief
report:
Locals and indigenous hunters confirm that otters are not uncommon either inside the
wetland, or in the river. Many of them describe two different types which are regularly
seen: one “blackish” (probably smooth-coat) and one “paler” (probably Eurasian).
The most common one (according to their stories) is the “blackish” one. They used to
hunt it either from inside Al-Dalmaj or from the river banks, where there are hundreds
of kilometers of continuous reedbeds.
Some fishermen report that they used to see these “extremely shy” animals in
remarkable numbers in one particular river. Apparently, the otters are very valuable to
hunters, as they sell the fur for a considerable sum of money!
The fishermen have been asked to report back on sightings of otters and to keep
some hairs for identification purposes.
The 3rd River
Al-Dalmaj Wetlands
Map of Iraq showing the areas of wetlands
NORTH SOMERSET OTTER GROUP
NSOG was set up in 2000, as part of the North Somerset Levels
and Moors Project (NSLMP), to monitor otter populations in
North Somerset.
Currently it consists of 45 trained volunteer surveyors
covering 74 sites on over 100km of watercourse who record and report otter signs
and sightings on a monthly basis. The data received from these surveys is collated and
analysed to give us an idea of what is happening to otter populations in the area.
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IOSF - International Otter Survival Fund
Surveyors also collect signs of American Mink and Water Vole as well as keeping us
informed of any other changes in the otters habitat such as any natural or manmade
changes in the watercourse etc. A number of our volunteers collect dead otters, which
are then sent to Dr Liz Chadwick, at the Cardiff University Otter Project: http://www.
otterproject.cardiff.ac.uk
The group is currently experiencing an exciting period of growth and development
with numerous training days and social events each year, which are well attended
and always receive positive feedback. We are taking on more surveyors all the time
and expanding to include more survey sites. We have also recently moved from
quarterly to monthly surveys, which will give us 12 sets of data per site instead of only
4. This will greatly improve the quality of data we collect and give us a much clearer
understanding of the movement of otters throughout North Somerset.
The NSLMP is a partnership between the Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol Regional
Environmental Records Centre, Natural England, the Environment Agency, and North
Somerset Council. The Project was established in 1996 and aims to safeguard and
enhance the important natural heritage of the North Somerset Levels and Moors area.
If anyone is interested in getting involved with the North Somerset Otter Group
contact Steve Maguire, NSOG Co-ordinator at the Trust: nslmassist@avonwildlifetrust.
org.uk Tel: 0117 9177270
Eurasian Otter (photo Nicole Duplaix)
www.otter.org
15
OTTER NEWS:
The following is a summary of News of Otters but you will find regular updates on our
website – just go to www.otter.org/news1.html
Update on Winchester City Mill
Some of you will have read about otters being filmed in Winchester at the
National Trust’s City Mill (News 46). Here is an update:
We completed our first 12 months of observations at the end of September with 292
sightings in the 344 nights when the system was operational. We were delighted to
film a mother and two cubs in the summer - later the cubs appeared on their own.
We get more sightings in winter (longer nights?) than summer and in winter otters are
happy to appear even when Winchester is still busy with people and traffic - so long as
it is after dusk! Local primary schools have been supplied with data to produce their
own bar charts etc.
Only one lucky group of people have seen an otter at the mill - ironically a bat watch
group at 10pm in May.
For further information contact Bob Goodwin, National Trust Visitor Services Co-ordinator,
Winchester City Mill, 01962 870057. [email protected]
Sea otter study shows variability in diets
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has
found that individual sea otters turn to specialised diets when food is limited rather
than consuming a wider variety of prey, and mothers pass this on to their pups.
Many sea otters are dying from infectious diseases which is effecting the Central Coast
Sea Otter (photo Nicole Duplaix)
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IOSF - International Otter Survival Fund
population. The diseases are not being passed from animal to animal but are being
taken in by the prey, which are carrying the pathogens. If these pathogens can be
traced back it may be possible to prevent the spread of the diseases.
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 15 January 2008
Otter spotters wanted in Buckinghamshire
Otters are believed to be increasing in Buckinghamshire and there are records at
several places upstream near Bedford, and on the west side of Buckingham.
The conservation group BTCV is looking for local people who can look for evidence of
otters by the River Great Ouse in Buckingham once a month. Volunteers will be shown
how to spot signs of otters, and how to tell them apart from other river creatures.
For further information contact Susan Le at the BTCV conservation group on 01296
330033 or email [email protected].
http://www.buckinghamtoday.co.uk/buckingham-news/Can-you-join-theotter.3691808.jp, 20 January 2008
Plans to protect Irish otters
The Irish Minister for the Environment John Gormley has announced plans to protect
otters. Recent survey work has shown that otters declined by around 18% in the last
25 years or so, with much of that decline occurring in the 1980s. The causes are put
down to poor water quality, loss of riverside habitats and road kills.
IOSF has contacted the Minister to ask about otter hunting which still continues,
in spite of full legal protection. We will let you know his response.
RTE News 21 January 2008, http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0121/otter.html
Otter trapping in Missouri reduces numbers in the Ozarks
The Missouri Department of Conservation reports that trappers seem to be controlling
otter numbers in the Ozarks.
By the early 20th century the river otter was almost extinct in Missouri as a result
of habitat loss and unregulated trapping. In 1982 the Conservation Department
launched an otter re-introduction programme and the animals have done better than
expected.
However now there is more frequent conflict with people and the Conservation
Department have turned to fur trappers to reduce otter numbers.
River otter pelts are among the most luxurious and sought-after in the world and can
fetch as much as $140 per skin. Thus the trappers needed little further incentive to
“co-operate” and the otter harvest increased every year from the 1999-2000 season to
the 2005-2006 season, peaking at 3,274.
www.otter.org
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The Conservation Department considers
that this concerted effort to increase otter
trapping is reducing numbers in target
areas without impairing the population’s
ability to sustain itself.
http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/
op/storiesView/sid/26200
Kansas City infozine - 25 December 2007!!!
American River Otter (Nicole Duplaix)
As you will expect, IOSF continues
to be totally against any trapping
of otters for furs. It is even more
disgusting when you consider that
as recently as 1982 they had to have a
re-introduction programme – for what?
Hunting?
Otters in the River Tyne, East Lothian
The East Lothian Angling Association (ELAA), which manages fishing rights on the
county’s main watercourse, the River Tyne, has recorded 35 otter sightings between
Samuelston and Tyninghame Road Bridge during 2007.
This is largely due to cleaner water and abundant fish stocks – the ELAA has released
2,400 brown trout into the river over the last two years. And to some extent they are
being welcomed back by the anglers as they say they do a good job of killing mink,
which have been a curse on the Tyne.
To encourage breeding, The River Tyne Trust, a group of amateur conservationists, has
recently constructed two otter holts at secret locations with the help of East Lothian
Council’s countryside and landscape department.
Another endangered species, the eel, is also flourishing in the river, and eels are an
important part of the diet of freshwater otters.
http://www.eastlothiancourier.com/article.php?sec=1&id=18996
East Lothian Courier, 30 January 2008
Otter spotted at Newport city centre redevelopment site
An otter was recently spotted by Paul Gallagher, a Landscape Architect for Newport
City Council, while he was carrying out routine assessment work at Newport’s new
Riverside Park. Fortunately, he had a video camera with him so you can see it on
YouTube.
This is a great development as the main purpose of the Riverside Park is to provide
a buffer zone between development work in Newport and the important wildlife
of the River Usk, which is one of Wales’ most important habitats for otter. On-going
conservation work has been carried out including monitoring the otter population
18
IOSF - International Otter Survival Fund
every six years, carrying out regular surveys through wildlife groups and volunteers,
and building otter holts and passes.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/otter-newport879.html
Sea otter tax donations return
Last year, Californians were given the chance to donate via their income tax form
towards the “CA Sea Otter Fund”. More than $255,000 was raised, with half going to
the California Coastal Conservancy for research and programs related to improving
sea otter habitat and the other half going to the California Department of Fish and
Game for increased investigation, prevention and enforcement.
To remain on the state income tax form in future years, the fund must receive at least
$250,000 in donations so if you want to donate go to www.defenders.org/seaotter/
taxday.
This could be even more important as a report in October commented that
“California’s delicate marine environment could be threatened by the declining
numbers of sea otters decimated by pollution, commercial fishing and mysterious
brain infections”.
Sea otters are an important part of the ecosystem as they feed on sea urchins which
feed on kelp thus maintaining the environmental balance for other species.
TheCalifornian.com, 29 January 2008
Otters die in illegal traps
Three otters drowned after getting caught inside an illegal crayfish trap set in the
River Cam in Cambridgeshire. Crayfish traps are legal but there is a maximum limit of
95mm for the entrance and this particular trap had an entrance of 130mm. If caught,
the culprit will be prosecuted and could face a heavy fine or even jail.
www.news.bbc.co.uk, 17 October 2007
Another otter, a male, died in a similar trap on the River Ouzel not far from the city
centre of Milton Keynes.
The Milton Keynes Citizen, 1 November 2007
Otters seen at Slimbridge
Otters are being seen from the Zeiss hide overlooking the reserve on the banks of the
River Severn, following the creation of new wetlands habitat as part of the strategic
development to increase the biodiversity of habitats at Slimbridge. The otter has been
seen together with bitterns and an increase in water voles.
Gazette Internet Edition, Gloucestershire Publications, 27 November 2007
www.otter.org
19
STOP PRESS... STOP PRESS...
We have just received the following email from Annette in Cambodia - very exciting:
“ We have found the presence of hairy-nosed otter (from skin) in a village in the Cardamom
Mountains south west of Tonle Sap.This is really interesting, as the habitat is very different
to other sites with the presence of hairy-nosed (evergreen hill forest with streams). We
have camera traps out in the area at the moment to get more information.”
Tonle Sap (photo: CIC)
Send a Charity Greeting
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Easter.... Cards
for all occasions which help IOSF and the
environment!
CharityGreetings.com provides an eco-friendly and charitable alternative to greeting
cards giving you the opportunity to support IOSF with a fantastic £1 for each card you
send. If you are going to buy a greeting card anyway, please send a Charity Greeting
instead, support IOSF and make your thought really count.
Please visit www.charitygreetings.com/iosf to find out more.
Pri nt e d by S t r a t h P r in t L t d, B road ford, I sl e of Skye em ai l i nfo @ s t r a t h p r i n t . c o . u k Te l : 0 1 4 7 1 8 2 2 5 5 5
(cover photos: © Nicole Duplaix, Eric Medard, CIC)
About IOSF
Registered business address: 7 Black Park, Broadford, Isle of Skye IV49 9DE Scotland
Tel: 01471 822 487 Fax: 01471 822 487 Email: [email protected] Website: www.otter.org
Charity number: SC003875
Who’s Who at IOSF
Patron: Julian Pettifer – Presidents: Dennis Furnell, Laurence Broderick
Co-ordinator: Janet Wildgoose – Development Officer: Helen Birch
Head of Operations: Dr Paul Yoxon – Scientific Advisor: Jim Conroy MSc
Asian Co-ordinator: Prof Padma da Silva – European Co-ordinator: Dr Vadim Sidorovich
A NOTE WHEN WRITING:
Could we please ask you to give us your sponsorship number whenever you
write as it does help us to find your records more quickly. Thanks.