IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
© IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group

Volume 7 Pages 1 - 43 (February 1992)

Abstracts

Some Key Factors in Breeding, Conservation, and Sociology of Otters
Pages 2 - 4 (Report)
Martin Hancox
Abstract
With the almost universal decline of otter populations worldwide due especially to over hunting and habitat impairment, captive bred releases for local restocking, or to either augment numbers or enhance genetic diversity may become increasingly important. And yet, otters have proved to be surprisingly difficult to breed in captivity. Life history characteristics of eight species of otter are reviewed, and the evolution of their sociobiology suggested. Recent reintroductions have had a low success rate, with animals vulnerable to the same environmental pollutants as probably caused their extinction in the first place.
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The Otter in Austria: a Review of the Current State of Research
Pages 4 - 9 (Report)
Arno C Gutleb
Abstract
As the status of the otter and the results of research work done in Austria have not been summarized within the last years, this article is an attempt to fill this gap. Status, habitat, captive animals, ecology and pollutant burden are reviewed. No national survey has been carried out, but the main otter distribution is along the northern and southeastern border. The northern population seems safe but the southern one is likely to be fragmented by developments such as planned hydropowerstations. There are some conflicts with fish farmers but compensation is paid. There is a breeding colony of otters in Alpenzoo Innsbruck and another group at the WWF station Grünau, which has not yet bred. Recent pollutant assay results are discussed, and heavy metal levels presented.
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Analysis of One Hundred Otters Killed by Accidents in Central Finland
Pages 9 - 12 (Report)
Uolvei Skarén
Abstract:
This is a preliminary report of otters brought to Kuopio Museum, 1967 - 1991. The population living in North Savo, Central Finland seems to be relatively healthy. However, there are some reasons for concern. 108 otters were analysed. Cause of death, sex ratio, reproductive status, age, weight, radiation and heavy metal levels, and stomach contents are reviewed.
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Numbers of Otters and Approach to Population Estimation in Byelorussia
Pages 13 - 16 (Report)
Vadim E. Sidorovich and Genadij O. Lauzhel
Abstract:
Estimates of current otter numbers in Byelorussia were made. Tracks and other otter sign were surveyed for, and water bodies characterised into different types. A computer database was used to handle the figures. The number of otters in Byelorussia has substantially decreased since 1988. We attribute this fact to excessive poaching. Further decrease in the numbers of otters seems possible because in some areas, there are severe disturbances in population structure. More efficient protection measures are urgently needed for this species. At present more otters could be supported but this is likely to be impacted by a large-scale drainage amelioration project for Northern Byelorussia.
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Aktion Fischotterschutz e.V. (German Campaign for Otter Protection) Activities 1991-92
Pages 16 - 19 (Report)
Claus Reuther
Following reunification, the work of Aktion Fischotterschutz has intensified.  In the east, due mainly to hunting reserves for politicians, otter populations and habitat is currently good.  As the east reaps the benefit of reunification, and development begins, this is likely to rapidly change.  We must act quickly to avoid the mistakes made in the past in the west.  In West Germany, the focus is recovery of habitat, with a new project, Otter 2000, intended to reconnect isolated otter populations through the provision of habitat corridors.  Reports on other projects are also presented.
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Present Knowledge on the Giant Otter in Argentina
Pages 19 - 22 (Report)
Anibal F. Parera
Historical records and local records were used to survey sightings of the giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, in northern Argentina.  Forty years ago, most sightings were of family groups, whereas now fewer otters are seen, mostly as pairs or solitary animals.  Argentina is the extreme southern edge of their range, and pressure from hunting, habitat destruction, disturbance and population fragmentation may be enough to severely affect the population.  Reintroduction into Iguazi National Park may be possible.
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A New Method for Studying Movements of the Southern River Otter in Chile
Pages 23 - 24 (Report)
Gonzalo Medina Vogel
Direct observation of Southern River Otters is difficult as they are largely nocturnal. Telemetry and radioactive isotopes were considered inappropriate for a study of this species in southern Chile. Instead, coloured sand which stains the paws and leaves coloured tracks was used, and some of the results of this are presented here.  The method is simple and cheap.
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Giant Otters in Peru
Page 24 - 26 (Report)
Christof Schenck and Eike Staib
We are in the second year of fieldwork surveying for Giant Otters in the southeastern rainforest of Peru, in three areas with differing levels of legal protection. While there is some illegal hunting still happening outside the protected areas, the main threat to the otters is badly-conducted tourism. Well-organised tourism can be a promising argument for establishing protected areas like national parks.
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Conservation Aspects of the Ecology of Asian Small-Clawed and Smooth Otters on the Malay Peninsula
Page 26 - 29 (Report)
Pat Foster-Turley
Between April 1989 and June 1990 I made four six-week study visits to Tanjong Piandang, Perak, Malaysia where I studied otters in collaboration with Mr Burhannudin ("Bond") Mohd of the Department of National parks and Wildlife of Peninsular Malaysia. We mostly studied field signs and collected scats of both smooth (Lutra perspicillata) and small clawed otters (Aonyx cinerea) inhabiting the rice fields and fringing mangroves of the study site. With experience, smooth and small-clawed otters signs can be easily discriminated in the field. Although previous natural historians have considered mangroves important to smooth otters, the results of this study indicate their importance to small-clawed otters as well. More than 25 % of the remaining mangroves in Malaysia are under threat of conversion to aquaculture projects: a particular problem for the survival of otters, as this brings them into even closer contact with humans who view them as pests. The Kerian rice fields of Perak, Malaysia are also an important habitat for small-clawed and smooth otters. Asian rivers seem to contain fewer otter signs and probably fewer otters than wetlands, marshes and mangroves, so preserving pristine Asian river habitats like Hauy Kha Khaeng and Sungai Tembeling may not be enough to ensure the survival of good populations of otters. I suggest that to be most effective in our Asian otter conservation efforts we need to increasingly link up with our colleagues who are working to protect these fragile habitats.
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Progress on California Otter Research: 1991
Page 29 - 32 (Report)
J. Scott Shannon
One milestone of 1991 was the completion of my study of otter behavioral development when 60-month-old Scarnose gave birth to her first pups. I finally observed the mechanism for female dispersion. This mechanism turned out to be intrasexual aggression, but unexpectedly this took the form of a near fatal attack on one of Scarnose's pups of one mother by her sister Junior. Followed up by a personal attack on Scarnose by her mother, Mama, this led to Scarnose leaving the area with her pups. Junior, who has already given birth, is positioning to replace Mama as matriarch. One of Mama's surviving female pups, One-Eye, fully integrated into the male Clan, but was also driven away by Junior. Also during 1991, Scarnose survived a near-fatal attack of mastitis, appearing moribund, but overnight opening the enormous abscess and draining it herself, and subsequently recovering. For the first time, a pup was observed voluntarily dispersing rather than being abandoned as is normal. Two new behaviors were added to the ethogram: sleep-nipping and closed-mouthed scream.
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Catastrophes and Conservation: Lessons from Sea Otters and the Exxon Valdez
Page 33 - 35 (Report)
James A. Estes
The Exxon Valdez spill is broadly perceived as an environmental catastrophe. However, expected catastrophic declines in the region's sea otter population cannot be demonstrated, not because they didn't occur but because the necessary information is lacking. Furthermore, efforts to rehabilitate oiled sea otters following the spill were extremely expensive and ineffective. Some improvements are possible with better planning. However, post-spill capture and rehabilitation probably can not be used to substantially reduce sea otter losses from future spills, and the use of such measures to conserve populations is unrealistic.
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A Note on Lutra longicaudis in Costa Rica
Page 37 - 38 (Report)
Sheila Macdonald and Chris Mason
 During a very brief visit to Costa Rica at the end of March 1991, we took the opportunity to see if we could find signs of Lutra longicaudis.  Spraints were used to survey for otters.  In Costa Rica logging continues but there is an excellent system of national parks where otter populations might be maintained. A full field survey is urgently required combined with awareness programmes in the parks, and Costa Rica is small enough for this to be practical. 
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Automatic Registration of Otter Activities in Denmark
Page 38 - 39 (Report)
Aksel Bo Madsen
Direct observations and electronic infrared detectors were used to monitor otter movements 24 hours a day throughout the year. There was most activity at night, in Spring and Autumn, especially in the hours after dusk and the period before dawn.
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Chilean Otter Group: 1991 Activites
Page 40 - 41 (Report)
Gonzalo Medina Vogel, Patricia Sandoval, Jaime C. Parra, René Monsalve and Ester Artiaga
A major publicity campaign to encourage people to "Save the Southern River Otter and its Habitat" was carried out.  Workshops were organised in schools.  A survey for Lutra provocax was carried out and the results are being used to plan future conservation work.  Two illegal otter furs were confiscated.  A photographic library is being established.
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