Volume 5 Pages 1 - 83 (March 1990)

Citation: Shannon, J.S. (1990) The Fifth International Otter Colloqiuim. IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 5: 69

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The Fifth International Otter Colloquium

J. Scott Shannon

Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California 95521, USA

The forested countryside of Lower Saxony in the Federal Republic of Germany provided the setting for the V. International Otter Colloquium. Organized by Aktion Fischotteschutz ,e.V., and held at their Otter-Zentrum in Hankensbüttel during 4-8 September 1989, the Colloquium brought together 126 participants from 38 countries to discuss the conservation and biology of the world's otters.

During the weekend preceeding the Colloquium, members of the IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group met to complete work on their Action Plan. On Sunday, early arrivals were treated to a guided tour of the impressive educational and research facilities of the Otter-Zentrum, then to a welcome party In the beautiful village of Lüben, where we "picked our brains" and toasted the good health of one and all.

Monday. 4 September, was the official opening day of the Colloquium. Following the introductory addresses, reports were given on the status of otters world-wide. Nine species - in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia - were regarded as threatened or endangered due to habitat loss or hunting. Relevant international conservation treaties and programs were discussed subsequently.

Studies and reviews of the biology, ecology, and behavior of otters were the subjects of Tuesday's lectures. A revised classification of the subfamily Lutrinae was offered by Dr. van Zyll de Jong, and appeared to be well-received. In the afternoon, participants were given the opportunity to present results of their own research, using posters, exhibits, slides, videos, and informal lectures.

Causes for the decline of otter populations, and the monitoring of otter distribution, were reviewed on Wednesday. Perhaps the most disturbing news presented at the Colloquium was Dr. Mats Olsson's warning of the serious problem of toxic PCBs accumulating in the world's aquatic food chains.  Unless the spread of PCBs and other environmental contaminants can be brought under control, even our most well-intentioned restoration efforts might be for naught. The last lecture sessions covered the care of captive otters, concerns about priorities in otter re-introductions, and educational topics.  The Colloquium concluded with adoption of the final resolutions.

The V International Otter Colloquium was a great success, not only because of the broad range of subjects, findings, and opinions presented, but also because of the hard work and efficiency of the organizers. Grateful thanks to the Colloquium coordinator, Ralf Röchert, and to our host, Claus Reuther, for their tireless efforts. Finally, a special acknowledgement is in order to the Chairman of the Otter Specialist Group, Pat Foster-Turley, for her diplomatic poise and leadership.

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