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

Volume 25 pages 75 - 123 (October 2008)

Abstracts

Distribution of the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in the Republic of Macedonia in 2007
Pages 77 - 83 (Report)
Lukáš Poledník, Kateřina Poledníková, Václav Beran, Jitka Thelenová, Martin Valášek, Václav Prášek, Vlasta Škorpíková and Mojmír Dostál
The distribution survey of Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra L.) in the Republic of Macedonia was carried out in spring 2007 by searching for otter signs. During the survey 36 sites, spaced out over the whole territory of the country, were controlled. Totally 70% of points surveyed were positive and the majority of the country appears occupied by otter. Two bigger areas show low or no otter occurrence: the upper part of the Crna River catchment seems to be unoccupied by otter and the catchment of the Strumica River shows low site occupancy. The gaps in the occurrence of otter are probably connected with pollution – industrial (the Kriva Lakavica River) and agricultural (the Crna River, the Strumica River). Nothing can be said about population trends, because there are no historical data available.
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Potential Conflict between Fishermen and Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Populations by Fishermen in Response to Declining Stocks of Arowana Fish (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) in Northeastern Peru
Page 89 - 93 (Report)
Maribel Recharte, Mark Bowler and Richard Bodmer
Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) populations are increasing in many parts of the Peruvian Amazon, and are coming into contact with people more regularly. Giant otters are piscivores and fishermen often see them as potential competitors for fish stocks. We report on giant otter - fisherman conflict on the River Yanayacu. During informal discussions, we found that fishermen considered the giant otter a competitor for fish, and one of their main concerns was for the fisheries of arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum). This fishery, for young arowanas for sale to the ornamental fish trade, is very important for the communities in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, and fishermen believe that stocks of this species are declining. Although arowana can be preyed upon by giant otter, smaller fish are preferred and there is no evidence for giant otters impacting on populations of this species. We identify a need for more research into giant otter populations, arowana populations, the exploitation of arowana, and the diet of giant otters in northeastern Peru, to support conservation initiatives aimed at changing the perception of giant otters as competitors for fish.
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Mortality of the Marine Otter (Lontra felina) in Southern Peru
Pages 94 - 99 (Report)
Jose Pizarro Neyra
The marine otter (Lontra felina) is a threatened species in Peru. Relevant data about mortality, causes of death and density of marine otter populations from the fishering villages of Morro Sama and Vila-vila, located in the southern coast of Peru are reported. The main causes of death in otters were related to interaction with the local people and fishing activities. Deaths occurred mainly during winter and spring months and were more frequent in Vila-vila. The density of otters in the study area decreased between 2006 and 2008.
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Predation or Scavenging of Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Cubs by Lizards?
Pages 100 - 103 (Short Communication)
Fernando César Weber Rosas, Márcia Munick Mendes Cabral, Gália Ely de Mattos
Despite the fact that several species have been mentioned as being giant otter predators, there is no direct evidence of most of them actually preying on P. brasiliensis. In this study we report for the first time a lizard (Tupinambis teguixin), commonly known as a tegu, either preying or scavenging on a giant otter cub. We also present some interactions of free-ranging giant otters with other potential predators, showing that their interactions are not always negative.
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Seasonal Variation in Latrine Site Visitation and Scent Marking by Nearctic River Otters (Lontra canadensis)
Pages 108 - 120 (Article)
Zachary H. Olson, Thomas L. Serfass and Olin E. Rhodes, Jr.
We combined analyses of visitation (using remote cameras) and scent marking (using traditional sign surveys) to provide a comprehensive assessment of the mechanisms underlying variation in river otter scent marking at latrine sites and to verify that river otter scent marking varies seasonally in Pennsylvania and Maryland. We observed seasonal peaks in total scent marking in the fall (September) and in the spring (March) similar to those previously reported. Group sizes of river otters visiting latrines were higher in the fall than any other season and anal sac secretions were documented only from February through mid-June. We attribute the fall peak in scent marking to family groups traveling together to latrine sites and the spring peak in scent marking to communication during the breeding season. Based on seasonal variation in the periodicity of river otter visits and seasonal variation in the intensity of scent marking, we suggest spring and fall as the most efficient seasons during which river otters could be detected using their scent marks.
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