Guinea-Bissau is a small country in Africa next to the Ivory Coast with Senegal to the north and South Guinea to the east. 

On 10 May 2003, IOSF was contacted about the possibility of a new species of otter in this country.  How exciting!!  

Mario Schuhmann from the River Zoo Farm in Guinea-Bissau had rescued the small otter on 18 April 2003.  It had been found nearly dead trapped in a net and had been taken to him for care.  He hardly believed it would live but was thrilled the next morning to find that it had not only survived the night but was looking fully fit and alert.  

Not only this, but he was certain it was not a species of Lutra or Aonyx as Mario was familiar with the two species of otter in Guinea-Bissau.  This was news in itself as when we contacted the IUCN Otter Specialist Group representative in Africa, Professor Jan Nel, he stated that only the Cape Clawless otter occurred in this country.  As this animal had very definite claws it clearly wasn’t that!  Jan Nel also said that the description, especially the white chest from the neck down, would suggest a Spotted Necked otter.   

Meanwhile our contacts in Guinea-Bissau were convinced it was a new species. The otter, a young female, was the smallest adult otter they had ever seen.  IOSF recommended that the only true way to solve the puzzle was to do some DNA work on it. 

Hairs were taken and analysed by the Institute of Zoo and Wildlife Rehabilitation in Berlin, using the roots of the hair.  The results showed clearly that this otter is after all a Spotted Necked (Lutra maculicollis).

But this is still an exciting find as it is now the northernmost occurrence of this species of otter.  It has been recorded in Sierra Leone but is very rare there, and is also rare in Liberia. 

For more information on this species go to Spotted necked otter

29 July 2003