IOSF World Otter Day takes place on the last Wednesday in May each year. The day was established by IOSF to help draw attention to otters, celebrate them, and raise awareness and support for their conservation globally. The aim is to put otters on the map, and at the forefront of people’s mind!

World Otter Day 2025 was a hit with events in 45 different countries around the world, what an unbelievable effort from everyone!

We want to thank everyone for their efforts and helping to raise the profile of otters globally.

World Otter Day Events Map

You can see all the amazing events that are happening around the world by having a look at the World Otter Day events map.

Social Media

Social media is such a great way for us to get the message of otters across to millions of people! Each year, we trend across the world with plenty of engagement between people and organisations. Perhaps you may struggle to run an event, but post on social media, share IOSF posts and help otters to take over the online world for the day!

Use #WorldOtterDay

Tag IOSF pages so we can see what all your amazing posts!

IOSF
World Otter Day
Grants

Each year we offer three grants of £100 for small World Otter Day events and accept applications for these. 

Read about the IOSF World Otter Day 2025 Grants:

  • Samik Bista is hosting an event that will focus on students of the Agriculture and Forestry University in Jagdishpur, Nepal, will have a number of interactive parts to raise awareness and foster future otter conservationists:

    • A conservation-based workshop will provide students with scientific insights into otter ecology, threats, and conservation strategies.

    • A group discussion to facilitate knowledge-sharing and critical discussions on future otter conservation including students showcasing their ideas on otter conservation.

    • A poster presentation to allow students to visually communicate key conservation messages, fostering creativity and awareness.

    • An online presentation by the International Otter Survival Fund.

    Through these activities, Samik will inspire and equip young forestry students with the knowledge and passion needed to contribute to otter conservation.

  • Réseau d'Innovation Environnementale are will continue to raise awareness among fishing communities on otters and their habitats, including improving perceptions and co-existence. This will include:

    • Raise awareness among fishing communities about otter conservation and their habitats

    • Inform and train government officials on otter conservation and protection

    • Encourage local communities, particularly on Lake Tanganyika, to be an active part of otter conservation and encourage more awareness of the legal protection of the species.

    They will also use social media to reach more people!

  • Fabiola, and her team, will work with park rangers to train them in the recognition of signs of the Mesoamerican and carry out educational programme at a school in Río Dulce, Izabal, Guatemala.

    They will host a theoretical-practical workshop for park rangers from two protected areas in Rí­o Dulce, Izabal. The theory of the workshop will focus on the biology and ecology of the Mesoamerican otter and how to detect traces of the species' presence. The practical workshop will consist of a field trip to search for traces of otters in the lagoons near the area.

    They will then visit the school to talk about the Mesoamerican otter will be held at a school in Rí­o Dulce.

  • Ferdi will raise awareness among the public, focussing on children and local communities, about otter conservation in Indonesia. This event will be held in a nature school community near Gunung Leuser National Park, providing information on otters following the student previously being introduced to environmental issues.


    There will be educational games, an otter drawing activity, and the distribution of the book Berang-Berang Indonesia across the area. The book contains information on the ecology, behaviour, distribution, and threats faced by otters in Indonesia. By distributing this book, it will provide a reliable reference for educators and the community to spread conservation knowledge.
    The event will also include interactive learning sessions with games to help children better understand the importance of otters in the ecosystem.

IOSF World Otter Day 2024

World Otter Day 2025 report is being prepared - so for now, why don’t you enjoy reading all about the event’s in last years programme!

Each year, IOSF holds a World Otter Day webinar involving otter experts and enthusiasts from across the world.

The webinar is split in to two sections, a morning and evening session, to allow people from all across the world to join.

World Otter Day Webinar

You can view all previous World Otter Day webinar videos here, together with all other IOSF videos. Don’t forget to ‘Subscribe’ to our channel

2025 Webinar Speakers

Previous Years

Ways to help otters

Learn more about what you can do to help otters, both at World Otter Day and other times of the year!

©Tony Goy Photography