IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 35 Issue 4 (December 2018)
Abstracts
First Photographic Documentation and Distribution of the Asian Small-Clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus in Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha, India
Pages 186 - 192 (Report)
Sandeep Ranjan Mishra1and M. Mohan
There is a decline in the populations of the Asian Small-clawed otter throughout its distribution, and there is a perception that it is a key stone species for riverine ecosystems. The species inhabits major freshwater wetlands throughout south and south-east Asia and often comes into direct conflict with humans for food and habitat. Further, the species is also suffering from neglectful attitudes and mismanagement due to a lack of baseline information. This paper presents camera trap images and distribution evidence for Asian Small-clawed otters in the Similipal Tiger Reserve.
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New Altitudinal Record of Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis Olfers, 1818) and Conflict with Fish Farmers in Mexico
Pages 193 - 197 Report)
Pablo César Hernández-Romero, Francisco Javier Botello López, Noé Hernández García and Jaime Espinoza Rodríguez
The Neotropical otter has a wide distribution in the Neotropics, including Mexico, where is listed as a threatened species, but there remain many unknown aspects of its ecology and distribution. A participatory monitoring committee was established to conduct field monitoring to document the presence of the Neotropical otter in the community of Tonalaco, located in the National Park Cofre de Perote in Veracruz State, México. Interviews were carried out with local inhabitants of Tonalaco to obtain information about the presence of the species. The present study documents a new elevational record for the neotropical otter in Mexico. Scats were found in the area, and a local resident possessed a stuffed specimen hunted in the area. Ranchers and cultivated trout producers of Tonalaco were not aware of the presence of the species before 2014. Our study provides new information about the presence of otter in the mountains of Mexico, outside of optimal habitat for the species . It is likely that fish farms have allowed otters to move into the area, but this has created a conflict between trout farmers and otters. Management strategies for the conservation of the species in this and other similar areas in Mexico need to be developed.
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Notes on Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis) Hunting, a Possible Underestimated Threat in Colombia
Pages 198 - 202 (Report)
Diana Morales-Betancourt and Oscar Daniel Medina Barrios
Since Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) hunting was legally banned in 1973 in Colombia, hunting is no longer considered to be a high priority conservation concern in the Country. The species is still classified as Vulnerable in the country, but the National Mammals Red List and the National action plan for aquatic mammals’ conservation in Colombia do not consider any use of the species besides keeping it as pet (an illegal activity in Colombia). A preliminary survey to identify current hunting activity was conducted professionals at biological research institutions, environmental NGO’s, university professors and regional environmental authorities, to identify current hunting among the five ecoregions in Colombia. The overall results among ecoregions show the main reasons for hunting Neotropical otters are: keeping as pet (29%), pelt use (24%) and bushmeat (22%). The results create a basis for gathering more information on the hunting of Neotropical otters in Colombia.
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The Influence of Water Level on the Detection of Signs of Neotropical Otters (Lontra Longicaudis) on a Flood Plain.
Pages 203 - 211 (Article)
Isadora J. Oliveira, Matheus G. Buzo, Bárbara A. Quirino, Eloísa De S. Guedes, Laryssa N. Peres, Raniere C. Da S. Oliveira, Stephane Haracenko, Jonas C. Alves and Evanilde Benedito
The aim of this study was to characterize the habitat used by the Neotropical Otter on a section of the floodplain, and to examine the influence of river level on the detection of scent marking, defined as spraint and/or anal mucus. Over one year, a section of 6 km of the left bank of the Paraná River was searched for scent marking. Those sites were classified by the type of substrate and frequency of use. A linear regression analysis was applied between river level and the number of marking sites found. Most of the positive sites have rocky substrate, followed by sandy. Just over half of the marking sites were only used occasionally, and few sites were associated with high activity. The abundance of rocky substrate when river level is low is probably responsible for the high frequency of otter sign detected. We suggest that studies on Lontra longicaudis marking in a floodplain should be carried out during periods of lower river level to facilitate the finding of otter sign. We emphasize that estimates of density and habitat preference cannot be based solely on marking sites, because both this behaviour and its detection are subject to variations due to many factors, including the oscillation of the river level.
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Good News from the South: Filling the Gap between Two Otter Populations in Italy
Pages 212 - 221 (Report)
Simone Giovacchini, Maurizio Marrese and Anna Loy
Following a severe decline in Italy in the second half of the last century, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) has been confined in the southern part of the peninsula with two isolated nuclei. Similar to other European populations, a slow recovery of the two disjointed populations started in the 90s. Filling the range gap was set as a main objective of the national action plan released in 2011. To assess the achievement of this target we ran a systematic survey in 2017 in the gap area, searching for otter signs in two river basins and two lakes in the Tyrrhenian (Campania) and Adriatic (Puglia) portions of the gap area. Otters were detected along most of the hydrographic network surveyed in the Tyrrhenian side, and only in few sites in the Adriatic side. Results confirmed the gap filling between the two sub ranges, and highlighted the need for a habitat survey in the Adriatic water courses. Our results have implications for the long-term survival of the small and endangered otter population in Italy.
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Diet of Lontra longicaudis in Espejo River, Quindío, Colombia
Pages 222 - 229 (Report)
Laura Pinillosa, Jairo Pérez-Torres and Alvaro Botero-Botero
We studied the diet of the Neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis in the Espejo River (Department of Quindío, Colombia). This river has the highest levels of pollution within the catchment area of the La Vieja River. We visited a 5.6 km section of the river on nine occasions during the month of July 2009 and collected 131 otter scats. The fecal samples were washed, sieved, and their contents were examined. Stool samples indicated that the otter’s diet in this river is mainly composed of fish comprising seven predated species. The most common prey items were Hypostomus sp. (31.6% of samples) and Brycon henni (29.22% of samples).
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New Location for the Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra in the Catchments of the Western Rif Mountains of Morocco
Pages 230 - 234 (Short Note)
Sian Waters and Ahmed El Harrad
The Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra has experienced a resurgence in Europe attributed to pollution control policies particularly organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). However, little is known about the species’ presence in North Africa. Here, we report the first direct observations of otters in two major rivers in the western Rif Mountains of North Morocco. We made opportunistic observations of otters while surveying and monitoring Barbary Macaques Macaca sylvanus, which inhabit steep river canyons in this area of their distribution. We observed three individual otters in two different rivers confirming the species’ presence in the western Rif. We intend to continue surveying for otter presence and to set camera traps in river canyons when circumstances allow.
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