IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin

© IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group

Volume 30 Issue 1 (January 2013)

Abstracts

Activity Pattern, Behavioural Activity and Interspecific Interaction of Smooth-Coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in National Chambal Sanctuary, India
Pages 5 - 17 (Report)
Syed Ainul Hussain
The activity pattern, behavioural activity and interspecific interactions of smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) with crocodilians viz. gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and mugger (Crocodylus palustris) was examined by monitoring four radio-implanted otters in the National Chambal Sanctuary, India. Based on the percentage of active telemetry recordings, the observed overall activity patterns of otters were in the form of a bimodal curve in which two periods of high activity were separated by a period of relative inactivity. In summer, the relative period of inactivity was greater than the winter and monsoons. Otters were more diurnal during winter than in summer or monsoon. Travelling and grooming were the most prevalent activities recorded during 422 sightings. Though the habitats and the diet of otters overlapped with gharial and mugger, their diurnal activity pattern was different and spatially they maintained a mutually agreeable strategy to avoid conflicts in sharing resources for basking and grooming.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (393 KB)

The Status of Iraq Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli Hayman 1956 and Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra Linnaeus 1758 in Iraq
Pages 18 - 30 (Report)
Omar F. Al-Sheikhly and Iyad A. Nader
Since the 1960s field expeditions, there has been little more knowledge acquired about the mammals of Iraq. There were also no previous surveys dedicated to assessing the status and presence of the two otter species described in Iraq: The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) and the Iraq smooth –coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, an endemic subspecies). Historically, both species thrived among suitable habitats of Iraqi wetlands and were named by Iraqis "Chlaeib Al M'ai" meaning "The waterdog". Both species’ populations have declined substantially 1991-2003 due to hunting and habitat destruction. During 2005-2012, intensive in situ field research has been done aimed at revealing the status of otters in Iraq. Different types of habitat at 21 sites across nine Iraqi provinces were visited and information about both species has been recorded. The smooth-coated otter (the endemic subspecies maxwelli) has proven by current research to be thriving in the southern Iraqi marshes with an additional remarkable sighting in northern Iraq (Kurdistan Region). Our research describes for the first time the geographical distribution, threats, and conservation status of both of these otter species in Iraq.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (611 KB)

Dental Anomalies in Lontra Longicaudis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) collected in Southern Brazil
Pages 31 - 36 (Report)
Felipe Bortolotto Peters, Eduardo de Lima Coelho, Belmiro Cavalcanti do Egito Vasconcelos, Paulo Ricardo de Oliveira Roth and Alexandre Uarth Christoff
This study describes the occurrence of dental anomalies in a specimen of Lontra longicaudis from the extreme south of Brazil. The specimen examined (MCNU-1584) underwent radiographic and macroscopic analysis of the dental number, shape and structure. Anomalies were observed in the alveoli of the right PM1 and PM2, which were obstructed by bone tissue and tooth loss was possibly due to trauma or pathogenesis. The presence of a supernumerary tooth, not erupted, inclined and incisiform, was also observed on the midline of the palate. Its position and null functionality suggest that it originated because of the hyper development of the dental lamina.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (344 KB)

Seizure Of Live Otters In Bangkok Airport, Thailand
Pages 37 - 38 (Short Note)
Chris R. Shepherd and Panjit Tansom
On 22 January, 2013, TRAFFIC reported that the Royal Thai Customs officers working at the Wildlife Checkpoint of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport discovered 11 live otters when they scanned a bag that had been left at the oversized luggage area of the airport. The otters, six Smooth Otters Lutrogale perspicllata and five Oriental Small-clawed Otters Aonyx cinereus were all juveniles and are suspected to have been smuggled out of Thailand, bound for Japan to be sold as exotic pets. The bag bore no tags nobody claimed it, and therefore no arrests were made. The otters will undergo health checks before being handed over to the Huay-Ka-Kaeng Breeding Center in Uthai Thani for care.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (229 KB)

Public Participation as an Aid to Conserve Little Known Species: The Case of the Neotropical Otter Lontra Longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) in Central Mexico
Pages 39 - 43 (Short Note)
O. Eric Ramírez-Bravo, Paola Lizbeth Moreno Barrera and Lorna Hernández-Santín
Public participation is often disregarded during conservation projects despite the potential benefits as it can help to determine priority areas for conservation in highly fragmented landscapes or to increase knowledge of little known species. However, there is no information about its potential application in Central Mexico. We undertook a preliminary assessment based on 30 interviews preformed between December 2011 and May 2012 with hunters aimed to determine the presence, feeding habits, reproduction periods, and –threats of the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) in a fragmented landscape in the Sierra Madre Oriental. Twenty three of the interviewed hunters indicated that the species is rare and considered to be solitary however, they have observed cubs and pregnant females feeding mainly on fish and crustaceans were made. Pollution, shortage of prey, habitat disturbance, and hunting were the main threats on the species. We verified the presence responses of the neotropical otter through field work and the life history information was obtained by doing a literature review. We concluded that public participation can be confidently incorporated in conservation plans of the neotropical otter in the Sierra Madre Oriental.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (236 KB)

The Impacts of Roads on Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra)
Pages 44 - 57 (Article)
Adam Grogan, Rosemary Green and Steve Rushton
The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) has made a dramatic and very welcome recovery to many of the river systems within the UK, following its decline in the 1950s. This new expanding otter population is now seen to be under a threat from a range of anthropogenic causes and one such threat could be the increasing number of otter road casualties found on an ever expanding road network. Although roads kill many tens of otters in this country each year, evidence of otters recolonising new areas would imply that road casualties do not negatively affect the otter population as a whole. Road casualty otters are presumed to be highly visible and many are collected and submitted for post mortem. This data reveals a great deal about these otters but some animals may not be examined, and others missed entirely, due to non-recognition or complete destruction of the carcass by road traffic. Furthermore, data from road traffic casualties may be mis-leading in terms of population dynamics. This paper discusses what impacts these casualties may actually have on the population of otters in the UK. This paper was originally presented at the Mammal Society’s Roads and Mammals Symposium, held at the Zoological Society of London in November 2003.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (320 KB)

Return to Contents