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International Otter Survival Fund WORLD OTTER DAY
#WorldOtterDay
Wednesday 31 May 2023
CELEBRATE OTTERS - RAISE AWARENESS - EDUCATE - FUNDRAISE - PROTECT
World Otter Day brings all otter species to the attention of many people. It focuses on raising awareness about how important otters are and also highlights the threats that they face. There are certain issues faced by otters that some people are largely unaware of, such as the huge trade in these animals for pets and fur. World Otter Day addresses this.
Every effort, no matter how small or how large, really does make a difference!
Click over to our May e-newsletter to find out what happened last year, and get some inspiration. You can also find some resources HERE and find out what happened in 2022 here (more to come). TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH!
Got an event happening? Don't forget to let us know so we can add you to our #WOD World Map - ben@otter.org ***********
#WorldOtterDay
IOSF World Otter Day Grants
Each year we offer three grants of £100 for small World Otter Day events to be held and accept nominations for these.
So, it’s time to make your nominations and you have until 24 March. Find out more information HERE
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Our 2022 World Otter Day Grants were awarded to:
· Patrice Delagnon Assou, University of Lome, Togo
Aonyx capensis and Hydrictis maculicollis have been historically recorded in Togo, but the species are increasingly threatened by habitat degradation, loss and fragmentation and by unsustainable hunting across its geographic range. This project wants to highlight otters, build up the scientific and produce the first rigorous data on their distribution and conservation status in Togo. The World Otter Day Grant will help to organize an education programme at the Department of Zoology as a starting point for this work.
· Salami Olalekan Michael, Netlink Environmental Conservation Organization, Nigeria
A one day sensitisation programme is to be organised in the Ilaje coastal community with the theme “Otter Awareness Campaign and Conservation Education Programme”. Members of the Netlink Environmental Conservation Organisation and volunteers will bring this programme to raise awareness and increase stakeholder involvement and develop strategies and guidelines to improve the relationship between people and otters in this fishing community. Information on alternative livelihood initiatives such as ecotourism and aquaponics will also be presented.
· Md Arafat Rahaman , Bangladesh Biodiversity Conservation Federation, Bangladesh
Little is known about the status of the Smooth-coated otter which has been sighted in a newly discovered wetland habitat in the west of Bangladesh. This project wants to address the pressures on such an area regionally and nationally including government agencies, the Forest Department and local policy makers. It will raise awareness and educate people about the otters in their area and encourage coexistence.
· Miguel Angel Torres Maldonado, Okapia conservación A.C., Mexico
This project is following up on the concerns of the local community regarding the status of their river, which is also habitat for the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis). The otter will be used as ‘a flagship species’ to bring people together and learn of the ecological importance of the otter and become involved in the conservation project, starting with workshops and awareness talks.
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