IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 29 Issue 1 Pages 1 - 67 (January 2012)
OSG Group Members News
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OSG Members in the News
- 30/01/12: Saving the world's biggest river otter: Jessica Groenendijk talks to Monga Bay about conservation of Pteronura brasiliensis in Peru.
- 22/02/12: On sea otters, we need to see the big picture: Jim Estes discusses the conflict between otter conservation and abalone fishing
- 19/03/12 - 23/03/12: Die "Wölfe der Flüsse": Christof Schenck talks to Radio Österreich 1 about Giant Otters
New Otter "Doctor"
Cristine Trinca succesfully defended her PhD entitled:
Evolutionary history and molecular ecology of the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) (Carnivora, Mustelidae)” at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brasil.
CONGRATULATIONS from the otter community!
New Members of OSG
Since the last issue, we have welcomed 10 new members to the OSG: you can read more about them on the Members-Only pages.
Brittany Blades, USA: I have worked with sea otters at two different AZA facilities, where I have had the opportunity to care for and train the otters including designing and administering enrichment devices. I plan to educate others about otter conservation through public presentations as well as sharing and learning as much I can with other zoological colleagues.
Jim Bodkin, USA: I have more than 30 years of experience leading research on the ecology and biology of sea otters and the nearshore marine ecosystems they occupy. I am interested in using my knowledge and experience to aid in efforts to conserve, manage and educate concerning sea otters and their habitats.
Antonio Canu, Italy: Naturalist and journalist, I am among the founders of the Italian Otter Group. I am an expert on protected area management (I have been head of the WWF Italy protected areas and am currently president of WWF Oasi, a company created to manage the protected areas of WWF). I have taken part in the national action plan on the otter as well as have an active role in coordinating groups for conservation programs on the Italian population. More generally I take part in conservation and awareness raising projects on the otter. I am author of several books and documents on the subject.
Alexandros Karamanlidis, Greece: Since 2010, I have been coordinating the research activities on Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) of the Greek NGO ARCTUROS. A preliminary assessment of the status and distribution of the species in Lakes Zazari and Heimaditida in the Prefecture of Florina in Macedonia in northern Greece has been completed and research efforts will focus now on remote (i.e. use of infrared cameras) and genetic monitoring of the species. The aim of this phase of the project is to establish a monitoring methodology for the species that can be applied throughout the country. I am relatively new to otters, having previously worked on Mediterranean monk seals, brown bears and wolves. I am a member of the Pinniped SG, and the European Brown Bear Expert Team of the Bear SG
Linda Nichol, Canada: I am a research biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. My sea otter research involves population surveys to assess trends in population growth and range of occupation of BC’s recovering sea otter population. Additional collaborative research involves examining habitat selection and use by sea otters, foraging ecology and assessment of health and disease in the population.
Catherine O'Reilly, Ireland: As part of the INTERREG 4A Ireland-Wales Project “Mammals in a Sustainable Environment” we are monitoring a number of otter populations in Ireland and Wales using genetic analysis of spraints. This project started in March 2011 and will run until the end of 2013 and is aimed at getting volunteers involved in mammal monitoring and conservation (for further details see www.miseproject.ie).
Gareth Parry, United Kingdom: I have a long-standing personal and professional interest in otters involving academic research, ecological consultation and advising direct conservation action. My particular expertise is in the field of otter dietary analysis and survey techniques, with experience on multiple otter projects throughout the UK.
Carolina Ribas, Brazil:I have been worked with giant otters in Southern Pantanal, Brazil, since 2002 with the objective of studying the social relations of the species over time. In recent years I have used molecular tools to investigate questions about kinship, paternity and molecular diversity.
Alan Shabel, USA: My current research focuses on the morphology and ecology of African otters, including both living and fossil species. I rely on anatomical and biogeochemical data to elucidate evolutionary trends in diet, behavior, and phylogenetic relationships.
Larissa Silva, Peru: My experience working with giant river otters has shown me many similarities with humans, and now I know how unprotected they are, and how much they depend on us. The more that giant river otters are very exposed and vulnerable, the more they are entitled to protection.
Gracias a las experiencias trabajando con lobos de rio, he visto muchas semejanzas con los seres humanos, y me doy cuenta cuan indefensos están y de cuanto dependen de nosotros. Cuanto más expuestos e indefensos estén los lobos de rio, más derecho tienen a ser protegidos.