IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 32 Issue 1 (January 2015)
OSG Group Members News
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New Members of OSG
Since the last issue, we have welcomed 21 new members to the OSG: you can read more about them on the Members-Only pages.
Anith Basavaiah, India: I have been working with Nisarg Prakash and the Nityata foundation along the Cauvery river in India studying otters and engaging with local fishermen towards conserving otters and their habitats. I'm very happy to be part of a group with dedicated people working towards conserving these wonderful animals. I look forward to learn about various conservation policies and share experiences with the group.
Alana Chin, USA: Founder and Director of the Sacramento Valley Otter Project, a citizen-science project based at American River College, Sacramento. We have collected, mapped and analysed over 300 public-submitted rcords of Lontra canadensis sightings, and trained 11 river otter surveyors. I am also a researcher on the River Otter Network citizen-science project at Humbolt State University as well as conducting field research on Lontra canadensis in agricultural and developed habitats.
Giuseppina de Castro, Italy: I have been surveying otters in the Molise Region since 2004. I am currently surveying along the Molise river for the Italian Action plan, and also involved in non-invasive genetic sampling of otters in the peripheral Italian range with Laura Lerone.
Antonia Galanaki, Greece: I am a zoologist and I first studied otters in my B.Sc. in 1999; since then I have been working in different wildlife projects in Greece. I am very interested in the development of species distribution models to study distributional changes of otters in relation to their habitats for conservation. In February 2015, I started a post-doc research on the impact the otter on aquacultures in western Greece.
Daniel Gallant, Canada: I am a Canadian wildlife biologist interested in mammalian behavior and ecology, as well as in monitoring methods used in wildlife management and conservation. I am also interested in the use of historical sources of information for studying the influence of human activities on biological and ecological change.
Allan Galway, United Kingdom: I have worked at Belfast Zoo for 12 years, caring for many species including Short-Clawed, Smooth-Coated and Spot-Necked Otters. I am vice-chair of the EAZA Small carnivore TAG, co-chair of the BIAZA Small mammal working group and ESB keeper for Marbled polecat and Green acouchi
Gustavo González, Guatemala: I am a veterinarian working with neotropical otters (Lontra longicaudis) in a park called Club Auto Safari Chapin, who has two, and also work in another park called FAE, which has four. I am currently rearing two wild orphan cubs.
Sinead Anja Hering, Germany: I am doing my Masters at Aktion Fischotterschutz e.V.. on conflicts between the fishing industry and otter conservation, as well as methods of improving otter monitoring. I am also conducting practical trials with fences against otters in the enclosures at Otter-Zentrum.
Pablo César Hernández-Romero, Mexico: I have worked with neotropical otters for seven years, and am a member of the Advisory Group for the Neotropical Otter in Mexico. I am working on the ecology and genetics of the species, and want to establish monitoring and conservation plans where with the participation of local people.
Hauke Hoops, Peru: It would be a pleasure and honor to be part of this group, where I can bring to the table my management and networking capacities and where I would be able to learn from each of the member's specific knowledge which I would share with the FZS team in general and in Peru
Pushpinder Singh Jamwal, India: Working for WWF-India in Ladakh, my interests are in avian fauna, ecology of large carnivores (including Lutra lutra and other Indian otters), human-wildlife conflict, and economic valuation of ecosystem services. I am also a keen photographer!
Dane Jorgensen, USA: As lead keeper of our two giant otters at the Birmingham Zoo, my interests align with their husbandry, management, and training. It’s my hope to pursue excellence in captive otter care in order to assist the SSP population and benefit these magnificent animals.
David Moyer, USA: I am responsible for the curatorial care of North American river otters at the Calvert Marine Museum and have 17 years of experience with captive otter populations. I actively promote animal welfare of captive species and conservation of their native habitats for a living.
José Pizarro-Neyra, Peru: Although my research about the Marine Otter began with the study of the composition of the diet and behavior, the results of observations allowed the evaluation of topics as the mortality estimation, the interspecific relations, the interaction with fisheries and the perception of the people about this species. Through my work with the "Chungungo" I discovered that marine otter conservation is possible with few funds and a responsible care of fishermen.
Santiago Palazón, Spain: I work on the management of protected and endangered mammals, mainly Eurasian Otter and Eurasian and American mink. I worked on the second and third Spanish Otter Surveys, and am now surveying for the Fourth. I am also coordinator of the Otter Group of the Spanish Society for Mammal Conservation and Study (SECEM). We have been compiling a database of otters killed on roads, and otter sightings.
Gloria Ponce García, Mexico: I work on the ecology and conservation of neotropical otter in Mexico, and its ecological niche modeling and geographical distribution.
Wulan Pusparini, Indonesia: I have been largely involved in large-mammals conservation (Sumatran rhinoceros, Sumatran tiger, and Asian Elephant) through my professional work with the Wildlife Conservation Society. i work mostly in Sumatra, conducting field research on mammal populations, increasing government staff and NGOs partner capacity through training in population estimation, and conflict-mitigation schemes, as well as formulating action strategy. Currently I and my team are concentrating on data deficient small carnivores, such as otters.
Elodie Rey, France: I am an ethologist, and have been curator of small carnivores at Paris Zoo since 2008, and EEP Coordinator for Lutra lutra since 2013. I am now planning to do a genetic study of this species in captivity, and to rewrite the husbandry guidelines for it. I am Eurasian Otter contact for the OSG OZ Task Force.
Ellen van Norren, the Netherlands: I am Project leader Ecology at the Dutch Mammal Society and the Chairman of the Dutch Otter Board. In this role I want to positively encourage otter specialists, governments, neighbouring countries and other parties in order to reach our shared aim: the sustainable population of otters as an icon of great water nature in one of the most densely populated parts of the world.
Samantha Walker, UK: I am a BSc student currently preparing a dissertation on giant otters resident in the vicinity of Tacshacocha on the Samiria river, Peru, following four weeks voluntary experience as a research assistant with Operation Wallacea. I hope to carry on working with otters in my future career and would welcome any volunteer opportunities to gain experience.
Patrick White, UK: My primary area of interests in otters is within the context of developing more effective, efficient and evidence-based surveying methods. I am currently working on a project to improve the use of camera technology in identifying and studying structures used by Lutra lutra.