ECO – Earth Crusaders Organisation arranged their event at the Auditorium of Nandankanan Zoological Park.

The programme started with a quiz, to determine the students initial understanding of otters before the start of the seminar, which was opened by Mr. Sanath Kumar N, IFS and Deputy Director of Nandankanan Zoological Park. During the seminar, the students received the following presentations:

• Mr. Rudra Mahapatra, Wildlife Trust of India, spoke on otters, otter projects in Odisha and the long-term impact.

• Ms. Devi Priyadarshini, RMNH, Bhubaneswar, spoke on Natural History, distribution of otters in Odisha, probable threats to otters and values to the ecosystem.

• Mr. Aurobindo Samal, Earth Crusaders Organisation, shared case reports of his work, challenges, threats and other conservation insights with students. The notable work that has been done, citizen science and involving local communities in conservation was demonstrated to life science students. Measuring the effectiveness of work done, utilisation of technologies and how to target the audience for conservation was also addressed through the seminar.

Following the end of the seminar, each participant joined in making pledges on how they can help with the long-term survival of otters in the region. The pledges were as follows –

1. Do not dump plastic waste and litter in waterbodies.

2. Report any waterbody contamination.

3. Communicate with local to the importance of otters.

4. Report any cruelty against otters.

5. If any otters are in danger, report to nearest forestry office.

6. Never harm otters.

7. Protect wetlands.

8. Approach for otter friendly fishing practices.

Cork Nature Network used their grant to develop a number of promotions and actions online to promote and celebrate the day. These included a number of posts, posters and adverts to increase the local knowledge of otters across their area, and further afield. Part of their event also highlight this amazing otter sand art - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7sOkHa4Hc4

The event ensured there was a much higher engagement from people from around Cork and beyond, on otters, their importance, highlighting their presence and the conservation issues they face.

Subarna Ghimire held an event in Kathmandu with a number of otter enthusiasts, involving 35 individuals, including 25 students. The main objective of their event was to educate university students about otters, their importance, habitats and challenges faced by the species and encourage more work to be done across Nepal.

The event focussed on the following methods:

Sharing awareness material

A poster was designed and unveiled during World Otter Day. The poster was named "Conservation on otter species to conserve aquatic ecosystem" and contains information on otter species in Nepal, their importance, signs of presence, and necessary conservation activities. The poster will be used when team members are in the field and distributed to local communities and schools.

Education workshop

A workshop involving the 35 individuals who were given presentations on three topics:

1. "Otters: global distribution and diversity" Subarna Raj Ghimire

2. "Study of Eurasian Otter in Nepal and its lessons to share" Mohan Bikram Shrestha

3. "Conservation awareness for otters in Nepal" Purna Man Shrestha

The programme offered information on otter status and helped inspire the attendees to be part of otter research and conservation across Nepal.

Placide Nkusi ran a multi-disciplinary education and outreach programme for World Otter Day, involved a number of different stakeholders, groups and raising awareness for otters across Rwanda and the threats they face.

The programme had three educational elements to it: an awareness meeting with a variety of stakeholders such as local authorities, lake transport units, and communities; outreach activities visiting communities, with a particular focus on those involved in fishing activities and aquaculture; and an online seminar, with students and university individuals, at which IOSF’s Dr Paul Yoxon gave a presentation.

The awareness meeting covered a number of topics including species globally, and in Rwanda specifically, the role of otters in the ecosystem, threats they are facing, why otters are declining, and what we can do to help. Each event allowed time for discussions, questions, suggestions and recommendations.

Furthermore, Placide created banners, leaflets and t-shirts to be offered to various individuals which will help keep otters in people’s minds. Placide also translated IOSF’s video into their local language, Kinyarwanda - https://youtu.be/MfzWu46Hmks

Placide concluded that the World Otter Day celebration in Rwanda met its goal of spreading awareness of otters among various groups. At least 100 people attended the event and as a result are more excited about otters.

Placide and his team are highly motivated to continue awareness, research and education to help to reduce otter’s decline in the long-term.