IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 29 Issue 2 Pages 70 - 120 (June 2012)
OSG Group Members News
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OSG Members in the News
- 23/10/12: Animal Action Awards : Grace Yoxon has been awarded the Conservation Award by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in recognition of IOSF's achievements in otter conservation worldwide.
- 31/07/12: Animal Protector of the Year : Addy de Jong has been nominated as Animal Protector of the Year in an annual event organised by Dierenbescherming , the Dutch animal protection organisation, and television channel SBS6.
New Members of OSG
Since the last issue, we have welcomed 7 new members to the OSG: you can read more about them on the Members-Only pages.
Giuseppina De Castro, Italy: I have studied Lutra lutra since 2004, and developed several research and conservation projects in Abruzzo, Molise and Puglia. Currently, I am collecting data for Laura Lerone's project: non-invasive genetic sampling of Lutra lutra in its peripheral Italian range.
Christina Fairbanks, USA: I am currently conducting an ongoing human-dimensions investigation involving the riparian and aquatic wildlife-viewing interest of non-consumptive wildlife related stakeholders. An important aspect of this investigation is focused on public options about river otters. I am also in the process of developing a river otter based curriculum to assist with the education of the public on the importance of aquatic and riparian resource conservation.
Katrina Fernandez, India: I am currently establishing the size and distribution of smooth-coated otter (Lutra perspicillata) populations along the river Mahadai/Mandovi, reviewing habitat requirements and developing an outreach program for the conservation of the species and the habitat that they depend on.
Caterina Ferrari, Italy: I am currently responsible of the Otter centre in the Gran Paradiso National Park (Italy). My aim is to help the conservation of otter and its aquatic ecosystem trough the scientific project and education to the public in the centre.
Caroline Leuchtenberger, Brazil: I haved worked with Giant Otters in the Brazilian Pantanal since 2006, on ecology, behaviour and conservation. I am currently looking at relic populations in areas of historical occupation by this species.
Victor Manuel, Costa Rica: I have worked on behaviour and enrichment with captive otters in my native Mexico and in Costa Rica, and also study otters in the wild: carnivorous mammal ecology, conservation biology, predator-prey interactions, habitat selection and ecology in general and keep learning different standardized techniques for monitoring otters. I am currently working on my Masters thesis on modeling potential distribution of Neotropical otters in Costa Rice.
Joel Mendoza, Peru: I am responsible for monitoring and doing otter censuses in the Madre de Dios Region, and I work to promote the conservation of Giant Otters involving local people of Madre de Dios.
Juliana Quadros, Brazil: I am a biologist, with masters degree and doctorate in Zoology, professor of the Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil. I am a specialist in mammalian tricology and an otter researcher, developing studies on neotropical otter distribution, ecology, and conservation
Marcia Sittenthaler, Austria: In my studies in Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management I have specialised in aquatic ecosystems and conflict species – investigating predator-prey relationships focusing on Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra), fish stocks and fishery management strategies in riverine otter habitats. I have experience in noninvasive genetic monitoring by analysing otter spraints for otter census and I am also interested in conservation genetics, monitoring otter mortality, field methods, international conferences and workshops on otter research.
Douglas Trent, Brazil: I am a professional photographer, and work with various agencies to document wildlife population baselines and direct biodiversity surveys for parks and reserves in Brazil. I also publish on biodiversity, conservation and sustainable community development. The government wishes to protect a large region of the Paraguay River in the Pantanal, which is home to Giant and Neotropical Otters, and I am working on the documentary evidence needed to achieve this.
Irene Weinberger, Switzerland: In my PhD thesis, I work on the Eurasian otter and its habitat und resource use in the alpine habitat. Data are gathered in a radio-tracking study of otters over the course of 2 1/2 years in the Austrian Central Alps. This study will help to increase knowledge on otters in such a habitat but also to model distribution in still abandonend areas where the species was once abundant.