IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 31 Issue 1 (January 2014)
OSG Group Members News
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New Members of OSG
Since the last issue, we have welcomed 14 new members to the OSG: you can read more about them on the Members-Only pages.
Engedasew Andarge, Ethiopia: I have been working in the field studying anthropogenic impacts on wildlife since 2009. I am currently doing my PhD on “Population ecology, Genetic diversity and anthropogenic impact on Otters” in Ethiopia, where they have never been studied before. In the future, I plan to work with otter professionals to develop educational teaching materials about otter ecology and their conservation in Ethiopia.
Georgia Aragão, Brazil: I am a passionate biologist interested in Otters worldwide, and knowing more about their ecology is part of my job. I believe that transmitting information about the species is part of the conservation process.
Robert Aston, USA: As a young lad in the early 1970’s, much of my “free” time was spent roaming the wilds of North Devon, UK, searching for the elusive “Tarka.” Currently, with The River Otter Ecology Project in Northern California, I am involved with researching the resurgence, population densities, and familial connections, of the North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis), in the San Francisco Bay Area; and presenting to school, and other interested, groups.
Sabrina Bettoni, Brazil: I finished my MsC on Wildlife Biology and conservation and I am specially interested in otter’s behaviour. I have been working with otters since May 2013 at the South America Otter Project ( Projeto Lontra ) - Brazil, I recently started a research on captive Neotropical River Otter’s vocal repertoire.
Atul A. Sinai Borker, India: I work on Conserving Otter habitats in Goa, India and have been documenting the Otter activity in human modified landscapes. You can find the info about the work done on http://wildabs.com/otters-in-goa
Lori Li Fei, China: The otters of China are highly endangered, but there is no specific conservation action and even research currently being conducted for these animals. I’m trying to locate remaining populations in southern China using camera trapping and interview surveys, so that we could start implementing conservation actions.
Lauren Harrington, UK: I have been a researcher at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Oxford University for almost 18 years, working predominantly on mustelid related issues, mostly in the UK, including American mink control, interactions between American mink and native mustelids, and the diving behaviour of mink. My main research focus at the moment is otter-fisheries conflict, and the potential use of acoustic deterrents.
Megan Isadore, USA: Megan is a Co-founder of The River Otter Ecology Project , the first project to research the recovery and ecological niche of river otters (Lontra canadensis) in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, USA. The project combines citizen science and focussed research to discover basic population, range, seasonal prey preferences, dispersal habits and family relationships among river otters in the Bay Area, using noninvasive methods. ROEP also provides public education for both adults and children on the importance of restoration and conservation of watersheds, using river otters as a charismatic ambassador.
Lucy Mead, United Kingdom: I am Secretary of the Somerset Otter Group and have worked for James Williams for the last 7 years. Although not an otter expert I have acquired knowledge of the otter through working with James. The Somerset Otter Group currently has 125 members who assist in surveying the County.
Julio Moscoso Sánchez, Chile: I am a marine biologist, and work on the conservation of Marine Otters Lontra felina off the coast of San Vicente Bay, Biobío, Chile for Ecogestión Ambiental Ltda .
Vasantha Nugegoda, Australia: I design exhibits for zoos and private developers in England, the Middle East and Singapore. I was formerly in charge of animal management in Singapore's Night Safari and the coordinator for Singapore native animal reintroduction group. I am a member of the Animal Reintroduction Group and a scientific Fellow of the Zoological society of London.
Jason Palmer, UK: Jason Palmer is the animal manager for the New Forest Wildlife Park. Currently responsible for over 40 otters of four species, both captive and wild rehabilitated, managing possibly the largest collection of otters in the UK or Europe.
Jo Pearse, United Kingdom: I am the secretary of the Somerset Otter Group, a county wide group of enthusiasts surveying for otters and undertaking various project work. Importantly, we conduct a two day survey across the county each year, providing a snap shot of most of the otters from fresh spraints. I will be co-ordinating this in 2015.
Rogério Vieira, Brazil: I work at Ekko Brazil on the rescue, treatment and recovery of wild otters, and I research on the management and maintenance of otters in captivity
Dave Webb, United Kingdom: I am a keen wildlife photographer, living on Exmoor. My true passion are otters and I am very keen to change peoples views on these animals; I am totally dedicated to the education to further the wellbeing of otters. I chair the UK Wild Otter Trust , a relatively new organisation seeking to promote a positive understanding of the Eurasian Otter and its conservation in all areas to as many people as possible and to raise the awareness through education, involvement and information.
In addition, we are happy to welcome Sabine Stolzenberg, formerly a student member, as a full member of OSG.