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

Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 1 - 44 (April 2005)

Abstracts

Habitats of the Otter (Lutra lutra L.) in some Regions of Southern Bulgaria
Pages 6 - 13 (Report)
Dilian G. Georgiev
Abstract
The aim of present study was to gather base information on the distribution and relative quantity of otters in some habitats and regions, and thus to assist future monitoring of the species in Bulgaria. The otter was searched for in 111 UTM-grid squares mainly in Southern Bulgaria. It was found in 88 and absent from 23 of them. Environment stratification and habitat classification for 5 mountains, 3 valleys and Black Sea Coastal region was made. Data on otter quantity in some rivers and reservoirs is also presented.
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First Recent Record of Hairy-Nosed Otter in Sumatra, Indonesia
Pages 14 - 20 (Article)
Reza Lubis
Abstract
En route to a regular meeting with officials in Sekayu, Sumatra, the author found a road casualty hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana). This is the first record of the animal on its eponymous island since an unreliable one in the 1960s. Photographs and measurements of the specimen, which has been preserved, are presented. Local officials intend to use the existence of this species as a flagship for their conservation efforts.
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The Use Of A Natural Cave For Breeding By Giant Otters In The Brazilian Pantanal: Observations And New Insights On Giant Otter Behavior
Pages 21 - 24 (Report)
Constanza Camilo-Alves and Arnoud Desbiez
:It has long been known that giant otters excavate dens for breeding and resting. One family of giant otters which we have observed on the Brazilian Pantanal, also use a long cave in a rocky cliff, particularly when raising cubs. The cave is not above the highest flood level, but does not usually flood, unlike excavated dens, which are very susceptible to flooding. Nearby caves were used by Neotropical Otters (Lontra longicaudis) and Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris).
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Interesting Cooperative Bedding Gathering Behaviour In Captive Asian Small-Clawed Otters (Amblonyx cinerea)
Pages 25 - 28 (Report)
Lesley Wright
Abstract:
At Exmoor Zoological Park in Devon, UK, the Asian Small-Clawed Otter family cooperate to bend down bamboo canes to reach and remove the leaves for adding to their bedding
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Methodology For Test Occurrence And Distribution Of Neotropical Otter
(Lontra Longicaudis, Olfers, 1818) In Cananéia, South Coast Of The State Of São Paulo, Brazil
Pages 29 - 33 (Report)
Roberta E. Silva,Eduardo Nakano-Oliveira & Emygdio L.A. Monteiro-Filho
Abstract:
For a further distribution and occurrence study of L. longicaudis in the region of Cananéia, south coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, a methodology adapted for the local conditions based on the “survey” method used with Lutra lutra was tested. The study site was divided in 35 quadrants of 2x2 km and in each one a body of water was chosen for the investigation. Each body of water was traveled for at least 2 km searching for evidences of the presence of otters. It was possible to produce an image of the distribution of the species in the area using the coordinates of the sites where the vestiges were found. This image showed the presence of otters in rivers and in the estuary and absence in the areas facing the open sea. In 12 out of 13 positive quadrants for the otter presence the first vestige was found in the first 800 m of monitoring. Therefore, we recommend a reduction of the area traveled in each bodies of water to 1 km, reducing the expenses and also increasing the sampled area. We also recommend the increase in the size of the quadrants due to the occurrence of otters in some quadrants considered negative by the method.
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European Otter Workshop: Research Advances and Otter Conservation in Europe
Pages 34 - 37 (Report)
Anna Loy
Abstract:
The workshop was attended by 110 delegates from 19 European countries and 2 from Israel, over three days. The first session was devoted to distribution, GIS modeling, habitat suitability and restoration; the second covered Genetics and conservation; the thrid was on home range, population dynamics and diet; and the fourth was about threats and conflicts. There was a round table focussing on the status and conservation of otters in Italy: identifying the topics and tasks necessary for the production on for a national action plan for otters. The species in Italy is critically endangered, the only viable population being found in the southern regions (Campania, Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia). The recent discovery of a fragmented population in Molise. The event also included a meeting of the European IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group. Proceedings will be published in Hystrix.
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