INTERNATIONAL OTTER SURVIVAL FUND 1999/2000 ANNUAL REPORT 

In November 2000 we celebrated our 7^th birthday and our membership continues to rise on a daily level - we now have over 3,500 members in 33 countries.  

In summary, this year we have funded 6 international projects and undertaken surveys in two Scottish Islands, rescued and rehabilitated 13 otters at the sanctuary, attended an Asian otter conference in Thailand and organised a European Otter Toxicology conference on the Isle of Skye.

 1. Otter Survey of Barra 

The survey was undertaken with the help of volunteers and it was shown that although the population on the island is low (approx 16-24 otters) it is still an important part of the Eurasian otter population in Europe overall.  In view of the low density of otters on Lewisian gneiss rocks the latest estimate of 1,200 otters for the whole of the Outer Hebrides should be reviewe 

2. Otter Survey of Pabay 

This island nestling in Broadford Bay off the Isle of Skye has a small but healthy otter population of 3-4 otters.  Two holts were identified in an inland freshwater system.  The diet was analysed by looking at the spraints and it was found that fish made up the dominant part of the diet (87%) with rabbit (6%), small mammals (5%) and seabirds (2%). 

3. Hairy Nosed Otter – Thailand 

IOSF put in initial funding for a base line survey by Dr Budsabong Kanchanaska to find the Hairy Nosed Otter in the Phru Toa Dang swamp forest, Thailand.  |Three cubs were found and this work is still continuing to find out more about the population.  Researchers have captured some animals to undertake radio tracking in the near future.

 4. Hairy Nosed Otter in Vietnam 

IOSF partly funded a study to find the Hairy Nosed Otter in Vietnam.  Dr Nguyen Xuan Dang from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources undertook the work and found some individuals still alive in the U Minh Thuoung Nature reserve.  Work is continuing to discover more about this population. 

IOSF is hoping to fund a long-term project on the Hairy Nosed Otter in more areas of south east Asia through the UK’s Darwin Initiative. 

5. Feeding Ecology of the Sea Cat in Chile 

IOSF funded a project in Chile undertaken by Dr Claudio Delgado Rodriguez, of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution into the diet of the Sea Cat or Marine Otter.   The study site is in Curinanoco, 35km from Valdivia. This work is still continuing. 

Sea Cat 

6. Monitoring the Southern River Otter, Argentina

IOSF helped Dr Claudio Chehebar of Naheuel Huapi National Park who undertook a survey of Southern River Otters.  Surveys had been undertaken in 1985 and 1995 and they wanted to re-survey the area in the year 2000.  These surveys are the only way of detecting any changes in population status. 

7. Population Status of the Neotropical Otter in Venezuela. 

IOSF helped fund a research programme looking into the Neotropical Otter in the Andean foothills of Venezuela.  This was undertaken by the University of Ezequiel Zamora. 

8. Emergency Appeal in Hungary 

IOSF responded to Pal Gera and his work with otters effected by pollution in the Rivers Tisza and Szamos.  A cyanide spill in Romania came down into Hungary killing between 300-400 otters.  Pal rescued some and treated then at his rehabilitation centre.

9. Otter Sanctuary 

We have had one of our busiest years to date with otters coming from Aberfeldy, Aberdeenshire, Caithness, Islay and Oban.

Our aim is always to release our otters back to the wild if possible but this year we received an “old man” we named Dax who cannot be returned as he is just too old and we are keeping him at the centre. 

10. Conservation and Public Awareness of the Otter in Asia 

In December 1999 Paul Yoxon of IOSF was asked to attend the above conference in Taiwan.  This has enabled IOSF to make contacts with various otter scientists and this is especially important in the Hairy Nosed Otter project. 

11. Otter Toxicology Conference 

IOSF organised a European conference on Otter Toxicology on Skye.  This was a great step forward in the future of pollution analysis and the affect on otters.  If we want to have healthy otter populations in the future we must obtain this base line data now.  The conference put together a standardisation for pollution analysis and to ensure that quality control measures are undertaken in all European laboratories undertaking this work.