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

Volume 23 Issue 1 Pages 1 - 48 (April 2006)

Abstracts

The Otter in New Zealand - Did Such an Animal Exist?
Pages 4 (Report)
Jim Conroy
Abstract
Accounts of the possible existence of an otter species in New Zealand are reviewed as a stimulation to further debate on the subject.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (33 K)

Diet of the Otter Lutra lutra in Different Habitats of South-Eastern Bulgaria
Pages 5 - 11 (Article)
Dilian G. Georgiev
Abstract
The study was carried out in three geographic regions of south-eastern Bulgaria with similar conditions: Upper Thracian Valley, Kazanlashka Valley, Surnena Sredna Gora Mountain and Black Sea Coast. The material was collected between 29.02.2005 – 21.03.2006 from various habitats. A total of 78 species were registered in the otter diet, and 65 of them were new records for Bulgaria. Following this study, a total of 101 different species of prey are known in this country. The main food source of the otter was found to be fish (Carassius auratus gibelio, C. carassius, Perca fluviatilis, Lepomis gibbosus, Barbus cyclolepis), but in rivers marsh frogs (Rana ridibunda) and freshwater crabs (Potamon ibericum) were also dominant prey. The main food source species and the trophic niche breadth of the otter in the region studied varied through the seasons and according to different habitats.
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Do Otters Occasionally Visit Israel’s Coastal Plain?
Pages 12 - 14 (Report)
Amichai Guter, Amit Dolev, David Saltz and Noga Kronfeld-Schor
Abstract
Signs of otters have been found on three occasions in recent years - in 1986, 2000 and 2006. This probably indicates sporadic transient otters from the Lebanese coast, and may represent an important source of genetic variability for the largely isolated Israeli otter population.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (299 K)

The Otter - Ambassador of Peace
Pages 15 - 16 (Report)
Jim Conroy
Abstract
Following a visit to Hwacheon, this is a review of the location of the Xth Otter Colloquium in Korea, and the importance of the otter as a symbol of peace between North and South Korea. The Demilitarized Zone Otter Project and other peace projects are reviewed. The meeting will be not only an otter occasion but a cultural event.
Contents | Full Text + Links |PDF (35 K)

The Otter (Lutra Lutra L.) on Corfu Island (Greece): Situation in 2006
Pages 17 - 25 (Report)
Jordi Ruiz-Olmo
Abstract
The distribution of the otter Lutra lutra on Corfu Island (Ionian Sea, Greece) was assessed by means of a standard otter survey in spring 2006. A total of 55 sites were surveyed, with otter being detected in 19 of them (34.5%). The otters are widespread and breeding within the Corfu Island rivers and streams, the species being very scarce or absent from the marine habitats. Fish were the main foods of otter both in the rivers and streams and in the coastal lagoons, but amphibians, reptiles, crabs and insects have some importance as well.
Corfu Island is still undergoing important changes that could affect otters soon. The main conservation problems found were: house building; high human presence and disturbance; habitat loss; and conflicts with intensive fishing and angling. These special populations should be protected. No rivers or streams with otter populations are included within Natura 2000 network.
Contents | Full Text + Links |PDF (172 K)

An Italian Action Plan For The Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra): Preliminary Contents
Pages 26 - 27 (Report)
Anna Loy
Abstract
Only a Few populations of otters survive in the southern regions of the Italian peninsula. Following the decisions taken at the European Otter Workshop, the Italian Ministry for the Environment established a technical and institutional team tasked with the production and application of an Italian National Action Plan for Lutra lutra. The Ministry promoted a first meeting of the technical commission in June 2006 to define the structure of a technical report containing a proposal for the contents of the action plan and collections of all data and information available on different topics related to otter biology, status, conservation and threats. Two workshops will be specifically organised to discuss the priority areas for conservation actions and the threats for otter population in Italy.
Contents | Full Text + Links |PDF (52 K)

Status Of Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in Iran
Pages 28 - 34 (Report)
Mahmud Karami, Roohallah Mirzaei and Mona Hamzehpour
Abstract
There have been no comprehensive reports on the distribution of Eurasian Otters in Iran. A research program to fill this gap has been instigated. This report presents the results of a literature review, and interviews with otter-aware individuals to summarize the state of knowledge about Eurasian Otters before the new survey begins
Contents | Full Text + Links |PDF (422 K)

First Binational Southern River Otter Conservation Workshop
Pages 35 (Report)
Maximiliano Sepúlveda
Abstract
The 1st Binational Southern River Otter Conservation Workshop was held on 30th – 31st of September 2005 in Valdivia, Chile, for scientific people involved in otter research both from Argentina and Chile. Forty-seven participants were registered from Chile and Argentina and more than 25 scientific oral presentations were given. During the next months the proceedings and recommendations of the meeting will be published.
Contents | Full Text + Links |PDF (35 K)

Habitats, Distribution And Population Density Otter Survey In Western Rhodopes Mountain (Southern Bulgaria)
Pages 36 - 43 (Report)
Dilian G. Georgiev and Slaveya Stoycheva
Abstract
The aim of our study was to investigate the otter habitats, their conditions in the Rhodopes Mountains (Bulgaria) and the effect on the otter distribution and population density. The investigation was carried out during the period 2004-2006.
The continually used (core) habitats were: 1. large high mountain dams combined with headstreams. These were all at altitudes above 1000 meters. The effect of ecotone between the two habitats (dams and headstreams) ensures food supply, shelter and space throughout the year. The otter was found in all such dams in the Western Rhodopes: Golyam Beglik, Shiroka Polyana and Batak. When all the bankside of Golyam Beglik Dam (21.8 km) was searched, only one possible resident female was found. On Batak Dam (30.0 km), there were three possible resident females and one adult male; 2. Medium sized rivers. The otter was found in all such rivers in the Rhodopes. On a stretch of Chaya River between Jugovsko Hanche and Asenovgrad Town (14.5 km), two possible resident females, one adult and one sub-adult male, were recorded. On the Parvenetzka River, there were 2 possible resident female otters per 24 river kilometres; 3. Large Dams with steep banks in the lower parts of the mountain. The otter was found at Dospat Dam; no data for the population density was estimated.
Temporarily used habitats and bank vegetation associations were also assessed according to their usage by the otters in the area and their conservation status.
Contents | Full Text + Links |PDF (921 K)

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