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IOSF April newsletter available. http://www.otter.org/newsletters.aspx

The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) has been honoured with the Wildlife Conservation Award in the ITV’s British Animal Honours 2013.  A glittering ceremony in London saw the presentation by Steve Backshall, who is a naturalist, writer and television presenter, but is possibly best known for BBC TV's “Deadly 60”.  This is a brand new awards show to celebrate the achievements of the country’s most extraordinary animals and the people who work with them.  The show is hosted by Paul O’Grady and will air on ITV on Thursday 18^th April from 8pm. 

The Wildlife Conservation Award recognises the work of a person or organisation which has made an outstanding contribution to protecting British wildlife and IOSF was selected by a jury made up of animal experts, animal charities and celebrities. 

IOSF is in its 20^th year and works at home and abroad to conserve the 13 species of otter.  The charity has its headquarters on the Isle of Skye, and there is a specialist otter hospital which has cared for over 120 otters.  In addition, IOSF provides help and advice for people caring for otters worldwide, and is currently helping with animals in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Belize.

In the UK, IOSF has also worked to reduce otter road deaths and campaigned against the use of snares.  Otters have been seriously injured in snares, and these are just those which are found.

There has been much publicity in the British media recently about otters being everywhere, but the reality is that there are only about 10,000 in the whole of the UK.  The IOSF appreciates the concern expressed by the fishing communities, and has established a working group with anglers and fish farmers to work on a solution to problems of otter predation.

Amongst the charity’s international work there is a lot of concern about the impact of the illegal wildlife trade on otters.  Dr Paul Yoxon, Head of Operations, said “No-one ever appreciates the scale of the illegal trade in otters for fur and pets.  For every tiger skin found there are at least 10 otters but they are always overlooked.  In some parts of Asia it is so bad that otters have disappeared completely.  In March we held a workshop in Indonesia to train more scientists to do otter research work and education and public awareness.  The big problem there is that otters are being taken from the wild in their hundreds for pets and we now have an Indonesian Otter Network who will work together and tackle this problem.”

A special Otter Awareness Day is being held by IOSF on Wednesday 29^th May and it is hoped that this will draw attention to the plight of otters worldwide.

The British Animal Honours 2013. The International Otter Survival Fund has been nominated for this award and features on the ITV show on Thursday 18 April at 8pm, please watch.

Andrew Cameron, Facilitator: There is a perceived tension between otter conservationists and anglers. The purpose of this conference is to

1. Determine whether this tension is real, and if so, how widespread it is, both geographically and across the different kinds of anglers and fishery maintainers
2. Discover and eliminate misinformation whether accidental or malicious
3. Find a way forward for both otter conservation and anglers

Short presentations were given in sessions of two or three, followed by questions from the floor.

More information at. http://www.otter.org/research.aspx

Our new cub has been named Willow - the name was suggested by our friend and long-term supporter, Joan Charles, and he is certainly gorgeous, isn't he.

Bubble and Squeak two new otters arrived at the sanctuary.

Take a look at www.otter.org

 

December otter news at http://www.otter.org/newsletters.aspx

Grace Yoxon Director of the International Otter Survival Fund, gets the International Fund for Animal Welface award for her work in Otter conservation.  the award was presented by Queen's Brian May.

How can anybody who cares about conservation be part of IUCN. A conference in South Korea is sponsored by the Fur Institute of Canada. Take a look http://www.ifaw.org/united-kingdom/news/iucn-world-conservation-congress-challenge-valuing-nature-what-it%E2%80%99s-worth

Shannon is now free in the beautiful Glenveagh National Park in Co Donegal, Ireland.

Emma Higgs, from the Irish Wildlife Rehabilitation Trust sent us these photos of her new release.

Pat Vaughan and Larry McDaid from the National Parks and Wildlife Service helped to put up her temporary home so that she could get used to the area.

Shannon was a bit reluctant to come out at first but finally took the first step to freedom.

The National Parks and Wildlife service will be keeping an eye on her to make sure she settles in to her new home. A blue identification mark was sprayed onto Shannon’s back so that Larry can watch out for a blue tinted otter swimming around the Loch!

International Otter Survival Fund

www.otter.org