IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
OSG Group Members News
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New Members of OSG
Since the last issue, we have welcomed 5 new members to the OSG: you can read more about them on the Members-Only pages.
Mike Bottini, USA: Mike has a MSc. from the University of British Columbia where he studied the effectiveness of several designs of wildlife underpasses to allow for elk movement across fenced portions of the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park. He has worked as an environmental planner and wildlife biologist on eastern Long Island for thirty years. He initiated the Long Island River Otter Project in 2008, and has continued monitoring the population. Mike also teach field naturalist courses, leads nature paddles, and has a Track & Sign level III certification through the Cybertracker evaluation program.
Mirela Cuculescu-Santana, United Kingdom: Since 2012 I have studied the behaviour and enclosure use of Asian small clawed otters in captivity at three different establishments in the NE of England, using different methods of quantitative data collection. I am interested in how their behaviour and enclosure use are influenced by seasonal temperatures in indoor and outdoor enclosures, and by various forms of enrichment, to provide quantitative information to support husbandry practices that ensure high welfare in captivity.
David Fleck, Peru: I work for the Peruvian NGO Acate Amazon Conservación. I am principally work with the Matses people, on their traditional knowledge of animals including otters. As well as conducting long term censuses for Giant Otters in Matses territory, I am devising conservation plans to reduce human impact on otter populations, running otter conservation awareness workshops, and creating teaching materials for use in Matses schools.
Hyeonjin Kim, Japan: I have worked on otter distribution in Korea and Japan for many years. I am interested in otter ecology and island biogeography. I also want to engage in conservation measures based on otter ecology and sociopolitical protection measures when the otter population has recovered.
Inge Teilen, Indonesia: Cikananga Wildlife Center, West-Java, has the only rehabilitation facilities for otters in Indonesia and is therefore part of the SERO program for receiving surrendered or confiscated pet otters, rewilding and returnning them to the wild. With ongoing arrival of otters we aim to professionalize the rescue, rehabilitation, release and post monitoring activities. We are also working with schools and the public to educate them about otters as part of the ecosystem.