© Charlie Hamilton James; © IOSF; © Vanessa Durán Sanzana
What we do
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Saving the world’s otters
Through education, rehabilitation, reducing trade and research, IOSF is working to protect and conserve the 13 species of otter that live across the world.
© Anjani Kumar -
Stopping the otter trade
Otters are traded for pets, furs and traditional medicines. The trade of otters as pets is being fuelled by social media, cafés and circuses, among other things. It is our responsibility to stop fuelling the demand for this trade.
© SCORPION Foundation -
Educating the next generation
Education is about inclusion and inspiriation. Through our Team Otter programme we are working to reconnect children with nature and igniting a passion to last a lifetime.
© IOSF
© Sagar Giri
Dedicated to the conservation of the world’s 13 species of otter
Otters are part of the Mustelid family which also includes badgers, pine martens and weasels.
There are 13 species of otter around the world and many of them are endangered.
Use the links to explore the different species and find out more about otters in other parts of the world.
African Clawless Otter - © Rowan Jordaan
Asian Small-clawed Otter - © Ellen van Yperen
Congo Clawless Otter - © Rita Chapman
Eurasian Otter - © Ross Lawford
Giant Otter - © Ann Fulcher
Hairy-nosed Otter - © Romain Pizzi
Marine Otter - © Pablo Necochea B
Neotropical Otter - © Philip Perry
North American River Otter - © Talia Rose
Sea Otter - © April Severin
Spotted Necked Otter - © Derek Keats
Smooth-coated Otter - © Harshit Sharma
Southern River Otter - © Matías Pavez
Our work
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Research
Gaining more information on populations, threats, human perception and much more
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Education
Community engagement, workshops and Team Otter, IOSF’s children’s environmental education programme.
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Rehab
The rescue and rehabilitation of otters back to the wild, both in the UK and worldwide.
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Trade & Threats
Trade for pets, fur and traditional medicine. Threats include habitat loss, persecution and pollution.
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World Otter Day
On the last Wednesday in May each year, IOSF World Otter Day is celebrated globally!
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Report a sighting
Help us grow our understanding of otters across the world by sending us your otter sightings.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
— Mohandas K. Gandhi
Get involved
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Get our newsletter
Subscribe and keep up to date on everything that IOSF is achieving and news across the otter world.
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Otter Shop
Support otter conservation through the IOSF Otter Shop with a number of otter-themed items.
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Go otter watching
Join IOSF for a magical day on the Isle of Skye searching for the elusive Eurasian otter.
About otters
Learn more about otters, how and where they live and why they are so precious.
© Mike Hooper