Meet Asher Scott McCarthy
Our next Team Otter meet is with Asher Scott McCarty who is dedicated to otters and has shown this in various ways, including sharing information with classmates and educating people about them. Asher has also adopted local otters and raised money for IOSF, using tireless and resourceful efforts.
Asher, who won an IOSF Otter Oscar Award for 2023, has answered a few questions about his favourite topic, otters.
Why otters? What made you fall in love with them, and want to help them?
Otters are cute and playful. They make me feel safe. I want to help otters because they need help so they can stay safe.
Do you have a favourite species, and why?
North American river otter, because we see them where we live and we can actively help them in our community
As a young person, what is your dream for otters in the future?
I dream that the otters will continue to grow and thrive in their community, and people will stop hunting them.
What is your favourite memory of otters?
My favourite memory of otters, is when I was 5 and learned about otters in an aquarium on a school field trip. My mom bought me my first otter stuffed animal. I named him Ogre. He makes me feel safe when I am scared. So I want to help the otters because they make me happy.
What do you think is the biggest problem that otters face both in your area, and across the world?
Otters are hunted and it makes me sad. Otters need to be safe and have a good place to sleep and have pups.
If you have one message for people, about otters, what is it?
Otters are really cool. They are playful water creatures and are great hunters. When you see an otter in the wild, you should not interact with it, and should leave them alone.