IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 38 Issue 5 (December 2021)
Abstracts
Misleading Use of IUCN Red List Terminology to Define Neotropical Otter Local Conservation Status
Pages 254 - 257 (Viewpoint)
Marcelo Lopes Rheingantz and J. W. Duckworth
Neotropical otters (Lontra longicaudis) are semi-aquatic mammals classified as “Near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), facing various threats against their survival, such as habitat fragmentation, water pollution, conflicts with fishermen, or attacks by dogs. A total of 9.531 scats were collected monthly over nine years, covering 14 years, from 2003 to 2017, in six different areas of study in Santa Catarina Island, Brazil. Frequency analysis through non-parametrical statistical tests and a polynomial regression model was applied. A linear model was also used following criteria and standards defined by the IUCN. Both methods were in agreement, showing a significant decrease in the number of Neotropical otter’s feces over this period. Because the modifications of the environment were constant during the last 14 years, the criterion to be adopted, according to the IUCN Red List, is A2. Therefore, the average reduction in the number of otter droppings over the past 14 years, or three generations, suggests that the population is critically endangered (CR).
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The First Photographic Records of the Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra in Syria: Its Mysterious Occurrence is Revealed
Pages 258 - 266 (Report)
Ahmad Aidek, Firas S. Baddour, Nahla N. Ibrahim and Omar F. Al-Sheikhly
The Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) has been recorded only rarely in Syria. Known only from few scattered localities in the eastern part of the country, but its current status is extremely unclear. Previous field observations and local communities’ information lack photographic documentation. In June 2019 and December 2020, two Eurasian otters were killed in the Lower Syrian Euphrates valley; single Eurasian Otter was killed in Deir ez-Zor and another in Ar Raqqah provinces in eastern and northern Syria, respectively. Moreover, in January 2020, two dead Eurasian otters were found in the mountainous costal region in Latakia Province in extreme northwestern Syria. These current records represent the first photographic documentation for the persistence of the Eurasian Otter in eastern Syria, and remarkable extensions of known range in the northern and northwestern regions. Furthermore, the species distribution range in the neighboring countries was also reviewed.
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Otter Survey along the Sanibheri River and its Tributaries, the Pelma and Utterganga Rivers in Rukum District, Western Nepal
Pages 267 - 278 (Report)
Mohan Bikram Shrestha, Ganga Shrestha, Swabhiman Reule, Sundar Oli, Devesh Mani Tripathi, and Melissa Savage
The distribution of three Otter species purported to occur in Nepal is poorly documented. A survey was conducted to document otter sign and habitat parameters of the Sanibheri River and its upstream tributaries, the Pelma River and Utterganga River in Rukum District, Western Nepal. The survey was conducted in the mid-hills region, on an elevation gradient from 747-2159 m asl. Otter scats were observed at 109 sites in 27 of the 71 study transects, and used as a proxy for otter presence. Otter scats were recorded in the narrow river valley of the upper swiftly flowing tributaries, as well as on the limited narrow banks of river at the lower stretches. Scat density was 2.67 scat km-1, 2.38 scat km-1 and 1.14 scat km-1 for the Utterganga River, Pelma River and Sanibheri River respectively. Bank substrate was almost equally divided between boulders (27%), large stones (22%), small stones (26%) and sand and mud (24%). Low levels of human disturbance were recorded along 18% of the river, while 43% and 15% were lightly or moderately disturbed, and 17% was severely disturbed. Otter sign was scarce, but found throughout the study rivers.
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First Evidence of Eurasian Otter in Nepal in Three Decades
Pages 279 - 291 (Report)
Mohan Bikram Shrestha, Ganga Shrestha, Swabhiman Reule, Sundar Oli, Tek Bahadur Ghartimagar, Govinda Singh, Devesh Mani Tripathi, Chris J. Law, Karan Bahadur Shah, and Melissa Savage
This study presents the first evidence of Eurasian otter presence in Nepal since 1991. Camera trap images from the Barekot River in Jajarkot District, photographic images from Tubang River in East Rukum District evidence and the skull of a dead otter are presented as documentation. Twelve craniomandibular traits measurements were carried out on a skull specimen found in the Roshi River: condylobasal length (CBL) of the cranium, measured at 111 mm, and zygomatic breadth (ZB) at 66 mm, identify the specimen as a Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). CBL and ZB measurements, flat shaped skull and longer rostrum were similar to those obtained by morphometric studies of Eurasian otter in other parts of its range.
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On the Occurrence of the Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis Olfers, 1818) in the Environmental Protection Area of Lagoa Santa Karst and Surroundings, Southeastern Brazil
Pages 292 - 299 (Report)
Fernando Marques Quintela, Rafael Martins Pinheiro, and Olusola Sokefun
The Dry Diagonal is a South American domain is characterized by the predominance of open area habitats and rainfall restriction. The distribution of the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) in the region is very misunderstood. Herein we present confirmed recent records of L. longicaudis in Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of Lagoa Santa Karst and surroundings, Minas Gerais state, easternmost Cerrado of Dry Diagonal in southeastern Brazil. Between January 2018 and November 2020, vestiges of L. longicaudis (feces, mucus, and footprints) were found in five sites in Lagoa Santa and Funilândia municipalities. Those sites are distributed in restriction protection conservation unit (Sumidouro State Park), sustainable use conservation unit (EPA Lagoa Santa Karst), and outside the protected areas. We comment about conservation aspects of the species in the studied area.
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Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Victoria, Tanzania: A Future Otter Sanctuary?
Pages 300 - 309 (Short Communication)
Jan Reed-Smith, James Leonard Mazelele and Tom Serfass
Studies of otters on Rubondo Island National Park were ongoing for several years. Ad hoc observations recorded between 2017 and 2021 are reported on here and it is suggested this location be considered as an otter refuge.
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