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

Volume 17 Issue 1 Pages 1 - 58 (April 2000)

From the Chairman's Desk
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Using a metaphorical expression from last years Nobel Prize winner Gunter Grass, I would describe developments over the last few months as "progress is a snail". Most projects described in the last issue of our Bulletin are still in progress. Unfortunately the least progress so far has been achieved in the revision of the Otter Action Plan (OAP). Though I wrote in the last issue that I was not panicking about the numerous manuscripts which were announced but had not yet arrived, I now have to state that a mixture of frustration and panic is setting in when I count the very few manuscripts that I have received since then.

One positive aspect of this matter is the fact that the experience resulting from this process will make the decision easier as to who will become a member of the Otter Specialist Group (OSG) for the next four year period. As you all may know, after the World Conservation Congress to be held in Amman in October of this year, Specialist Group Chairs will be asked by the IUCN/SSC to nominate the members of their groups. As is laid out in the SSC guidelines, the main responsibilities of Specialist Group members are:

• To maintain contact with the Specialist Group Chair, responding as promptly as possible to specific requests. SSC cannot afford to carry non-active members.
• To work with the Specialist Group to gather and manage species data and information.
• To assess the conservation status of species against the IUCN Red List Categories: this activity is the essential component in compiling the IUCN Red Lists of Threatened Animals and Plants.
• To promote understanding and use of the IUCN Red List Categories as appropriate.
• To contribute towards the compilation of Action Plans; and/or promotion of their implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; and/or the compilation of revised Action Plans that record progress since the first edition.

These criteria will form the basis for the decision on membership of the OSG and the opportunity to join the information resources and the policy making processes of IUCN/SSC for the next four years.

There are three main reasons why I insist on keeping the schedule for the revision of the OAP:

1. it was a decision of the OSG, made at the last International Otter Colloquium in Trebon, to finish this revision process by the year 2000;
2. it is unfair to those authors of sub-chapters of the OAP who have completed their jobs in time to ask them to update and revise their contributions because other authors did not keep the deadlines;
3. according to the agreed deadlines, a workshop has been prepared for November of this year to ensure the efficient implementation of the OAP.

This workshop, entitled 'How to Implement the Otter Action Plan?', will be held at the German Otter Centre on November 4-7, 2000. The program contains the following six workshops:

1. Expectations from the different continents.
2. How to implement the OAP on the international level?
3. How to implement the OAP on the national level?
4. How to implement the OAP on the scientific level?
5. How to introduce the OAP to the public?
6. Results and recommendations.

All leading otter experts from around the world have already agreed to join this workshop and some external experts have agreed to share their experiences with the otter people. The complete program and registration forms for people who are interested in participating are available by fax (+49-5832-980851) or by e-mail (Aktion.Fischotterschutz@t-online.de).

Another meeting (for invited delegates only!) is planned for September 21-25, 2000 on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The aim of this conference, entitled 'Toxicology in Otters', is to bring together experts in the field of toxicology and to create a protocol for post mortem work in order to standardise methods and provide meaningful data for comparative purposes. More information is available from the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF@aol.com).

Detailed information is now also available for the next International Otter Colloquium to be held on January 20-25, 2001 in Valdivia (Chile) on the website http://www.ottercolloquium.cl, prepared by Gonzalo Medina. We all are aware that it will be very difficult to ensure a high number of participants in a place as expensive to travel to as Chile. During the past months, Gonzalo and I have made great efforts to find sponsors to allow people from 'poorer' countries to join this most important otter meeting, which takes place only every fourth year. However, it looks like responsibility for finding sponsorship for travel expenses will have to stay with the participants as most of our applications for funds were not successful. On the other hand, it would be very important, as one of the main goals of this conference, to have as high a number of participants from as many countries as possible. This could support otter conservation and increase possibilities for otter research in Latin America as a whole.  Keeping in mind that four of the thirteen otter species belong to this region, this target should encourage everyone interested in otters to try to join this colloquium.

A good example of the progress which can arise from international meetings is given by our Asian colleagues. As reported in the last issue, they organised a workshop on 'conservation and public awareness of otters' at Taichung (Taiwan), in December last year. The proceedings of this conference have now been published by Charles Santiapillai and Hiroshi Sasaki. This 146 page book gives, in its 22 chapters, a remarkable overview of public awareness and conservation activities from Asia, Europe, North and Latin America. For more information, please contact The Otter Research Group in Japan, c/o Hiroshi Sasaki (i79677g@wisdom.cc.kyushu-u.acjp).

I would be glad if I should also be able to announce the publication of the proceedings of the last International Otter Colloquium. However, unfortunately, Robert Dulfer is still missing funds for their printing. Any support or ideas on how to overcome this dilemma are welcome.

Another important publication will be available soon as volume 12 of the journal HABITAT. Entitled 'Surveying and Monitoring Distribution and Population Trends of the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)', the authors (Claus Reuther, Dietrich Dolch, Rosemary Green, Jutta Jahrl, Don Jefferies, Anna Krekemeyer, Marcela Kucerova, Aksel Bo Madsen, Kevin Roche, Jerzy Romanowski, Jordi Ruiz-Olmo, Jens Teubner and Anabela Trindade) have evaluated all available survey reports from Europe carried out using the so-called 'Standard Method' and have prepared new guidelines for the use of this method. The book will be published in August. More information is available from the German Otter Station (Aktion.Fischotterschutz@t-online.de).

Last, but not least, it needs to be announced that the SSC has urged all Specialist Groups to establish 'Red List Authorities'. These authorities will evaluate the species under their jurisdiction against the new Red List Categories and Criteria adopted in 1994. In the future, no species will be included on the IUCN Red List unless it has been evaluated by an appointed Red List Authority. I am very happy to announce that Dr. Syed Ainul Hussain, of the Wildlife Institute of India, has agreed to act as the Red List Authority for all otter species. Since there are strict regulations and schedules for these authorities I ask all members of OSG to support his work wherever possible.

Claus Reuther
Chairman IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group
Aktion Fischotterschutz e.V.
OTTER-ZENTRUM
D-29386 Hankensbuttel
Germany
Phone+49/5832/98080
Fax +49/5832/980851
e-mail: Aktion.Fischotterschutz@t-online.de

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