IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
© IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group

Volume 11 Pages 1 - 57 (April 1995)

Abstracts

News from the Giant Otter Project in Peru
Pages 5 - 7 (Report)
Christoph Schenck and Elke Staib
Abstract
In 1994, in Manu National Park, the Otorongo group is now led by Isla; there is further evidence that tourism is affecting breeding adversely. Tourism has doubled this year, but the national park authority have signed an agreement accepting responsibility for protecting the animals, and are building an observation tower for tourists that does not seem to trouble the otters. We organsied a seminar on "Management of tourism in the reserves of Madre de Dios" in the department capital, Puerto Maldonado, and contributed to another organised by the University of Cusco and the park administration. We published a booklet containing the most important results of our study. We investaged the acoustic communication of giant otters under water, finished a study on mercury contamination of fish, produced a book, "Die Wölfe der Flüsse - Riesenotter und ihr Lebensraum Regenwald", and produced a TV film "Die Riesenotter vom Madre de Dios".
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Some Preliminary Observations on the Foraging of Sea Otters off the Outer Coast of Washington State, USA
Page 7 - 9 (Report)
J.R. Jameson
Abstract
Since reintroduction of sea otters began in 1969 off the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, USA, the population has increased to 360. We begun studying the natural history of this populaton in Summer 1994. This paper presents some of our findings on foraging behaviour and food habits. Clams and crabs predominate, with the addition of snails. Mean dive times of about 56 seconds for females and 68 seconds for males were found, with 89% of dives successfully obtaining prey. Prior to 1995 this area has received little predation pressure from sea otters, and we anticipate seeing a very different array of prey items at the new site.
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Evidence for Illegal Attempts to Kill Otters (Lutra lutra) in Austria
Pages 10 - 13 (Report)
A.C. Gutleb, W. Henninger, G. Loupal and A. Kranz
Abstract
Following collection of 17 otter carcasses for necroscopy from the Waldviertel area of Austria, two were found to have old fragments of bullets in their bodies. In neither case was this the cause of death, nor had physiological mobilization of lead occurred. One had fragments of two different kinds of bullets in it, implying it had been shot at and wounded twice, the other once. Otter hunting is forbidden throughout Austria but this indicates that illegal hunting is taking place.
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Nonmetric Skull Divergence in the Otter - Assessing Genetic Insulation of Populations
Pages 15 - 24 (Report)
H. Ansorge and M. Stubbe
Abstract
The craniometric variation and non-metric skull divergence between populations of the otter Lutra lutra (Linné, 1758) were studied using more than 430 skulls from different regions of Eastern Germany. No direct regional differences in skull measurements could be established for this area. The comparison of the morphological variation by non-metric skull characters adduces not or unimportant differentiations for most regions. Otter populations with greater geographic distances have partly higher measures of divergence. But only the population from the Baltic coast stand out against each other with a relative important epigenetic distance. Until now there does not exist a general reproductive and genetic insulation between the otter populations of Eastern Germany.
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Preliminary Studies on the Feeding Ecology of the Otter Lutra lutra at Pitchavaram, East Coast of India
Pages 24 - 26 (Report)
G. Umapathy and G. Durairaj
Abstract
Observations were made on the distribution, food and feeding ecology of common otter, Lutra lutra in Uppanar and Coleroon rivers at Pitchavaram in the east coast of India. In freshwater, fish were the dominant prey item, whereas in estuarine habitat, crabs formed half the prey. By direct observation, the otters spent 40% of the day swimming/hunting, and 70% of feeding dives were successful.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (37 KB)

Diet and Conservation Status of Cape Clawless Otters in Eastern Zimbabwe
Pages 27 - 30 (Report)
J. R. A. Butler and  J. T. du Toit
Abstract
Kairezi otters are subject to human disturbance in the KRPA, including trapping at the Nyafaru trout farm, they are not regularly hunted, and the national park at least offers the population some protection. However there is a long-term threat to the catchment´s otters from habitat loss: clearance of riverine thicket for fuel wood is escalating within the KRPA, but most clearance is likely to be downstream in the unprotected areas of the communal land. Since the otters occur at naturally low densities in the catchment they are highly vulnerable to population fragmentation. Many rivers in Zimbabwe´s eastern highlands face a similar situation of degradation by subsistence agriculture, and therefore it is fair to conclude that the conservation status of the region’s clawless otter population is fragile. If the problems of the KRPA could be solved the scheme could act as a model for further community-based catchment conservation schemes in the area, within which clawless otter conservation could be promoted.
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Cape Clawless Otters (Aonyx Capensis) as Indicators of Water Pollution by Heavy Metals and Pesticides in Zimbabwe
Pages 30 - 31 (Report)
J. R. A. Butler and C. Hillman
Abstract
This project aims to determine the level, type and sources of pollution from agricultural pesticides and industrial heavy metals in Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe, along with the extent of bioaccumulation and the effect on otter populations.  As a control, we will also analyze data from the relatively unpolluted eastern highlands.  The project is expected to be completed in September 1995.
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Hindering Otter Lutra lutra Road Kills Part 2
Pages 32 - 36 (Report)
Olaf Körbel
Abstract
This is the second part of a detailed enquiry into the relative effectiveness of different otter Road Traffic Accident prevention measures, with practical advice on construction.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (219 KB)

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