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

Volume 21 Issue 2 Pages Pages 60 - 101 (January 2005)

Note From The Editor

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I apologise that this issue once again has been delayed, although this seems to be becoming a habit. I accepted a new position at the National School of Veterinary Science in Oslo, Norway and this moving to another country made it very difficult for some time to work on the otter Bulletin. Please find the new contact address on the inner side of the title page.

One of the first e-mails that I received after arriving here was the one from Hans-Heinrich informing us that Claus had died. While writing this it is still a fact that somehow seems to be very unreal for me. I knew Claus for about 15 years. All the years since we first met on a Mustelid-Colloquium in Bielefeld, Germany, - my first international conference attended ever, we had regular contact. I still remember the moment when he said in South Africa to all of us, that we may have more scientists dealing with otters in Austria than we have otters, followed by his big smile. Only a few minutes later he argued that the big interest for otters in Austria should be reflected by the fact that an Austrian takes over the responsibility for the Otter Bulletin, while looking into my eyes as if he knew (probably he did) that I tend to accept these offers. As a result of this choice Claus and I had to deal a lot with each other and we had continuous contact throughout the years about all aspects of the Bulletin. I take it as a big honour that he sometimes called me to discuss aspects of the group and asked about my opinion. Claus and I did not only talk about otters but also a lot about private things, - about life and this made him to a very special person for me. Claus death showed me how relative things in life can be. Not only will I remind his inset for otters but I will also remind him as a good friend.

I was often asked during the last weeks about whether and when we are going to have a new chairperson and whom it is going to be. Currently there is a lot of constructive discussion going on within the continental coordinators and probably at the time the next Bulletin will be published more details can be presented. In case of any question please contact your continental coordinator, as they should have the most recent information.

In addition, I really want to thank Kevin Roche, Rachel Kuhn, Daniel Scognamillo, Hans van den Berg, Els Hoogsteede-Veens, Erwin Hellegering, and all the reviewers for their continuing contributions to the IUCN OSG Bulletin.

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