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

Volume 24 Pages 1 - 76 (December 2007)

Abstracts

Species-Wise Disparity In Scientific Knowledge About Otters: An Obstacle To Optimal Management And Conservation Actions?
Pages 5 - 13 (Viewpoint)
Daniel Gallant
Some species of otters have been much more studied than others. A particular challenge in the management and conservation of otters worldwide is that some of the lesser-known species are also among those being the object of conservation concerns. In this paper, I argue about the importance of producing more scientific knowledge about lesser-known otter species and discuss the importance of integrating more species- and region-specific knowledge in survey practices. By comparing literature, I present examples showing how species-wise differences in behaviour and ecology can affect sign-based survey outcomes.
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What Is The Proximate Cause Of Begging Behaviour In A Group Of Captive Asian Short-Clawed Otters?
Pages 14 - 35 (Article)
Nicola Gothard
The study aimed to ascertain the proximate cause of ‘begging’ behaviour in a group of captive Asian short-clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus). Two alternative hypotheses were tested by manipulating aspects of husbandry in three experimental conditions. Condition 1 served as a baseline for comparison. In Condition 2 meal worms and crickets were provided every hour to stimulate natural foraging and hunting behaviour and alleviate boredom. During Condition 3 the food allowance was increased by 7.5% of the otters’ body weight and they were fed every hour to more accurately represent their natural foraging ecology. The results show that both Condition 2 and Condition 3 reduced ‘begging’ behaviour, however the reduction was significantly greater in Condition 3. Thus indicating that the main cause of ‘begging’ behaviour was hunger, however lack of stimulation is also likely to be a contributing factor. Inconsistency in feeding times might have contributed to the ‘begging’ problem as well, although a further long-term study is needed to determine the extent to which this is a factor. Some recommendations for changing aspects of husbandry and diet are provided
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Otter (Lutra Lutra L.) Mortalities In Southern Bulgaria: A Case Study.
Pages 36 - 40 (Article)
Dilian Georgiev
Otter mortalities (n = 50) from Southern Bulgaria were analyzed. Among the mortality types, poaching was the most common cause of death recorded in this study (52% of all mortalities recorded), followed by road kill (10%) and drowning (8%). Killing of otters by dogs had the lowest impact (6%).
Most of the otter mortalities (40%) came from areas with fish-farming activities – micro-dams and fishponds. In the second place were the regions of the large dams with 18% of all otter mortalities. The other locations provided lesser numbers of otter deaths.
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Sighting of an Interaction Between a Neotropical Otter, Lontra longicaudis and a Teju Lizard, Tupinambis merianae in a Lagoon Ecosystem of Southern Brazil
Pages 41 - 46 (Report)
Fabrice Capber
Otters are opportunistic feeders in that they feed upon whatever available prey. Sightings of live otters in their natural environment are uncommon, mainly because otters are known to have shy habits, avoiding human presence. Despite the fact that reptiles are listed in the neotropical otter´s diet, they just constitute a small part of it. This paper aims to report an unusual sighting of interaction between a neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis, and a Teju lizard, Tupinambis merianae, in a lagoon environment of southern Brazil, characterized as predation.
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Veterinary Care of Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) at the Otter Breeding Centre of Hunawihr (France)
Pages 47 - 62 (Report)
Fabrice Capber
More than 16 years of veterinary care in the European Otter (Lutra lutra) Breeding Centre of Hunawihr (France), reveals many aspects of diseases and health problems. It emerges from this review that infections caused 62.5% of all deaths and that the prevalence of urolithiasis is high. Uroliths were found in 61.9% of all autopsied otters. Salmonella and Pasteurella sp.were isolated from several otters.Other health considerations such as traumas, neoplastic diseases and breeding problems are described. Cases of paraphimosis and aerophagia are described for the first time in Eurasian otters to our knowledge. Everyday veterinary care is also emphasized. Finally, pathological occurrences in both captive and wild otters are discussed.
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