IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
© IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 19 Issue 1 Pages 1 -
61 (April 2002)
Abstracts
Otters And Fyke Nets -Some Aspects
Which Need Further Attention
Pages 7- 20 (Article)
Claus Reuther
Abstract
Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) become attracted by fishes
caught in fyke nets, lobster creels or other fishing gear, and
they sometimes are drowned by trying to get access to these
fish. Numerous publications describe this problem and the
attempts to avoid this kind of loss. By comparing these data
with unpublished data provided from different European
countries, and in trying to prepare recommendations for
fishermen, it became obvious that there are some results which
are inconsistent or founded on too small a database to offer a
background for adequate conservation recommendations. Therefore,
some aspects are highlighted here to encourage otter
conservationists and researchers to collect more data and to
contribute to a more reliable database for conservation
measures. In particular, an improvement in the knowledge of
fishing techniques and of fishing gear used by fishermen seems
to be necessary for a better understanding of the factors which
influence the number of otters drowned..
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Travel Mortalities of the Otter and
Road-Passes: a Database
Pages 21 - 24 (Article)
Lionel Lafontaine and Geoff Liles
Abstract
A major cause of otter deaths is road traffic accidents. Various
mitigation measures have been used to try to reduce the numbers,
but assessment of their effectiveness is not consistently
carried out or made available. The authors propose a project,
the Database
of Otter Roadpasses, to collect and disseminate knowledge from
OSG members about otters, roads and mitigation measures. A
pro-forma response is provided indicating what information
should be collected; this should be returned to the authors for
compilation into the database.
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K)
Progressive Skinning of Toads (Bufo
bufo) by the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
Pages 25 - 29 (Report)
Fred Slater
Abstract:
Predation of the Common Toad (Bufo bufo) by otters is
less common than predation of the Common Frog (Rana
temporaria). To avoid the paratoid glands of toads, only the
hind legs may be skinned and eaten. At a B. bufo breeding
site, regularly predated by otters, an increasing proportion of
predated toads have been completely skinned. With declining
populations of fish and crustacean prey, it is suggested that
this apparent behavioural change better utilises the residual
food resource.
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Giant Otter Project in Peru Field Trip
and Activity Report - 2001
Pages 30 - 39 (Report)
Jessica Groenendijk and Frank Hajek
Abstract:
The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
was uplisted from 'vulnerable' to 'endangered' by IUCN in 2000;
habitat destruction in South America currently poses the
greatest threat to the species. In 1990, the project 'Status,
habitat, behaviour and conservation of Giant Otters in Peru' was
initiated by the Frankfurt Zoological Society - Help for
Threatened Wildlife (FZS) in order to increase knowledge and
national awareness of these unique animals and to develop a
comprehensive plan for their conservation in Peru. The progress
of the Project has been described continually in the IUCN Otter
Specialist Group Bulletin
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K)
On the Tracks of the Congo Clawless Otter (Aonyx
congicus) in Gabon
Pages 40 - 50 (Report)
Hélène Jacques, François Moutou and Franck
Alary
Abstract:
The distribution and status of the Congo clawless otter (Aonyx
congicus) has yet to be assessed in the rainforests of central
Africa where the species is said to occur. No study had been
conducted up to now, probably due to the remoteness of these
areas. A 15 day mission (July 2001: St Anne), followed by a further
4 weeks mission (January 2002: Setté Cama, Lopé reserve,
Langoué baï) to Gabon, allowed us to gather information
on A. congicus, to see the animal and many tracks, and to begin
to form a network to get information not only in Gabon but also from the
rest of central Africa. A. congicus seems to thrive in the virgin
tropical rainforests of the interior, the main threat being hunting for
bush meat, mainly in southern Cameroon but also, apparently, on a smaller
scale in Gabon.
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(153 K)
Still on the Tracks of the Congo
Clawless Otter (Aonyx congicus): First Mission in
Cameroon
Pages 51 - 55 (Report)
Franck Alary, François Moutou and Hélène Jacques
A 15 day first-step mission was undertaken in Cameroon during February 2002. The purpose of this prospective trip was, first of all, to raise interest amongst wildlife institutions (Governmental and NGOs) concerning the 3 species of otters supposed to inhabit this country. The same kind of work has been initiated in Western African countries such as Togo, Burkina-Faso, Benin and Niger.
This will allow the institution of a network around the French speaking part of Africa, in order to collect information on distribution, status and threats as regards otters.
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