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

Volume 16 Issue 1 Pages 1- 57 (April 1999)

Abstracts

Development Of Weight And Length Of Eurasian Otter (Lutra Lutra) Cubs
Pages 11 - 26 (Article)
Claus Reuther
Abstract
In order to estimate age of otter cubs found dead, injured or orphaned, size parameters are needed. Measurements of weight and length over a period of 107 days are given for 32 cubs born since 1979 in the enclosures of Aktion Fischotterschutz. It is hoped that publication of these data will assist age determination of L. lutra cubs up to the age of 3.5 and encourage other institutions breeding otters to take similar measurements to increase the database for statistical analysis.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (1377 K)

Otters And Fisheries - Workshop Report
Pages26 - 32 (Report)
Marcela Kucerová
Abstract
Through history, human and otters have been in competition for resources such as fish. The result of the recovery of otter populations, especially in central Europe, is likely to lead to an escalation of this conflict, and solutions are needed urgently. We recommend not treating fishermen and fish farmers as enemies but as partners, to learn about their problems and how they percieve them, to take those problems seriously as they are our problems too, to remember that it takes time to build confidence between people concerned, to use the knowledge gained to develop clear, useful project objectives and avoid duplication of effort, and to make the results available as soon as possible. Important aspects to consider are sociological (we should carry out studies to find out opinion and perceptions of all parties involved), economic (marketing studies should be carried out not only on the ecotourism potential of otters, but whether fish advertised as being produced using otter-friendly methods from places that protect otters would be an attractive product to the consumer), evaluation (independent estimation of otter damage is needed, along with clear guidelines on what 'damage' consists of, and compensation criteria), preventative measures (electric fences, repellents etc to deter otters from using particular locations) and education (the otters' attractive appearance and appeal makes it an ideal species for work with the public, school children and tourists, but a different kind of public relations work is needed for interest groups with years of negative attitudes to otters have to be overcome). The main conclusion of the workshop was that greater cooperation and exchange of information between peope who work with otters is needed. Greater effort must be put into evaluating possible economic losses for fish farmers and fishermen, searching for alternative solutions that can change their attitudes towards otters.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (53 K)

Giant Otter Project In Peru: Field Trip And Activity Report - 1998
Pages 33 - 43 (Report)
Christof Schenck, Jessica Groenendijk and Frank Hajek
Abstract:
The Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is the largest of the 13 species of otters. Living in the rainforests of South America, it has since 1973 been considered the most threatened in the world by by the IUCN Otter Specialist Group. The species is considered "vulnerable" by the IUCN and has been on CITES Appendix I since 1973. At the First Symposium for the Conservation of the Giant Otter organized by INRENA (National Institure of Natural Resources) in Lima, it was decided that field work should be undertaken to survey the area round Port Maldonado in south-eastern Peru; and the implementation of environmental education and public awareness was continued. The objective of the field work was to evaluate three areas of great importance for the survival of Giant Otters in Peru:
i) Lake Sandoval, about 14 km from Port Maldonado, is the easiest place in Peru to observe Giant Otters and they have been studied there between 1990 and 1992. It is also a perfect tourist destination, but badly organised tourism has led to the animals becoming very timid. As requested by INRENA, we produced an outline for more effective management of Lake Sandoval: creation of areas where human activity is restricted; construction of observation towers platforms; restriction on how closely the boats can approach the otters; obliging tourists to be accompanied by an official guide; production of posters and pamphlets on the biology of the species and explaining the necessity for following rules; restrictions on the number of boats at any time on the lake, no-swimming zones; no entry zones; no fishing zones; a system of fines for transgressing these rules, and an entry fee to pay for infrastructure improvements. Current activities could continue but in a more controlled form. Evaluation of the success of the scheme will be based on the behaviour and reproductive success of the otters. The survival of Giant Otters in Lake Sandoval implies the existence of a corridor between nearby populations.
ii) Lake Valencia, 24 km from Lake Sandoval, on the other side of the Madre de Dios River, and is subject to more human disturbance; otters had not been reported for 10 years, but recently a family group was filmed there, and we were able to confirm their presence when we visited. This has important implications for linking isolated Peruvian populations.
iii) Rio Palma Real is in the protected zone in its middle and upper reaches; to the east runs the Heath river, and to the West, the ‘Quebrada’ Briolo, and Giant Otters were confirmed in both these rivers in 1992. During our field work, we found Giant Otters in the Rio Palma Real, which could bridge between the two nearby populations. Both Giant Otters and Neotropical Otters (Lontra longicaudis) were found in the Palma Real.
Field activities also included the training of a group of technicians and biologists in methods of investigation of Giant Otters. During the Lima Symposium, 1000 posters of Giant Otters with a conservation message, 500 technical posters, 500 pamphlets on the Giant Otters, and 80 educational slide packs were distributed. In an area in the environs of the National Reserve Pacaya-Samiria, in the North of Peru, 1500 copies of a Giant Otter colouring book, "Pepe, the Giant Otter" for children were distributed, and a drawing competition was organized to stimulate the involvement of children and their understanding and appreciation of its environment.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (432 K)

Return to Contents