The otter is a cunning and evil beast: Nemo and his fellows, now and in the past

Respectfully reviewed & submitted to Otter News by Béatrice Dumiche

That is the title of a unique exhibition taking place from October 30, 2015 thru March 6, 2016 at the Fabry Museum in Hilden near Düsseldorf, Germany. The exhibit is organized by Wolfgang Gettmann, former director of the Aquazoo and member of the IUCN Otter specialist group, and last but not least Nemo’s caregiver and otterly friend.

For ten years now, the cheeky Asian Short-clawed otter, Nemo, has spread all of his charming cuteness and natural cheerfulness to advocate, in numerous meetings and TV programs, against the prejudices his fellows are still the victims of. 

Although otters have been protected since the late seventies of the 20th Century, they had been nearly eradicated before, less due to the superstitions they were associated with in ancient times than for economic reasons like many predators: they were considered a threat to fishery as otter pelts created wealth for their hunters. They were indeed most appreciated because of the density of their fur to be transformed into blankets and coats before they became a sign of prosperity, worn by royalties and noblemen, and, eventually later in the 20th century, an outstanding fashion accessory.

So, despite the recovery of the European otter - now returning to many of its former territories - defending the cause of otters, is still necessary since at least 6 species around the world remain endangered. Moreover, their vulnerability in our highly industrialised and globalised contemporary society reveals new challenges for their protection such as water pollution, an increase in road casualties and primarily a loss of their habitat.

That’s why Nemo, who has gained worldwide popularity, being the IOSF ambassador of the 13 acknowledged otter species, introduces the exhibit from an original perspective. Each species is featured with items informing about their anatomical characteristics via dermoplastics - a taxidermic technique - skeletons or skulls, and their environment. Yet the great originality of the exhibit, which mostly come from Wolfgang Gettmann’s private collection, is that it relates these physiological data with the cultural representation of otters in the different civilizations where they occur.  A portion of the exhibit illustrates the current hunting practices and the way the animal was perceived in the past beginning in the Middle Ages when it was treated as a fish and thereby could be eaten during the Lenten fast. So, the visitor will find oddities like cooking recipes and lots of works showing otters in the fine and applied arts giving an overview of their imagery throughout history.

Yet, the emphasis lies on the educational effort which has been undertaken by several countries and associations to gain the approval by local people for the otters’ protection. Stamp and coin collections play an important role within the display and one will be surprised by the quantity of otter stamps issued throughout the world, bringing attention to their vulnerability. Most of the stamps and coins rely on popular arts showing that an educational purpose needs to be rooted in a tradition which awakens an early interest in otter conservation.

Hence, a range of stuffed toys and children’s books round out the exhibition and let it close with some hope.  The collection itself reveals that this shy and elusive animal is more present than expected in human imaginary and thus points to a more favorable future where otter trophies and fur coats will be replaced by a different variety of fashion - t-shirts, caps and badges – to gain the support of the larger public.

Together with the Wilhelm Fabry Museum, Wolfgang Gettmann has organized a cycle of conferences which underline the connection between natural and cultural sciences and the necessity to create synergies between local and global perspectives in order to make otter conservation a sustaining success.

Details on the special conferences:

(all times listed are in Central European Time - CET)

November 8th 2015, 11:00 am (CET)
You otter know! … Pictures of an otter world

Conference by Wolfgang W. Gettmann, Former director of the Aquazoo Düsseldorf, Member of the IUCN Otter Specialist Group

November 26th 2015, 7:30 pm (CET) 
All animals are equal – but some more than “otters”

George Orwells famous satire Animal Farm performed by an actor and an accordionist, 13th literary concert in Hilden with Peter Welk and Lutz Stenger

January 14th 2016, 7:30 pm (CET)
Otters in the fine arts

Conference by Sandra Abend, doctorate holder & director of the Kinderartothek within the Wilhelm Fabry Museum. Abend also provides lectures in fine arts at the Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf

February 11th 2016, 7:30 pm (CET)
The otter is back in North-Rhine-Westphalia - What tracks and genetic fingerprints actually tell us                                                                                                                                                     
Conference by Jan Ole Kriegs LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, Westfälisches Landesmuseum mit Planetarium Münster

February 25th 2016, 7:30 pm (CET)  

On otters, giant sharks and the Isle of Sky: on the tracks of Gavin Maxwell, the lonely “citizen of the world”
                                                                                                                                      
Conference by Wolfgang W. Gettmann, Former director of the Aquazoo Düsseldorf, Member of the IUCN Otter Specialist Group.

These conferences are held in German. An English summary might be delivered on prior request.

The Museum is located Benrather Strasse 32a in Hilden and is easy to reach from Düsseldorf by bus with the lines 783, 784, 785 and 03 (Stop: Fritz-Gressard-Platz/Wilhelm-Fabry-Museum) as well as with the S-Bahn 1.

Entrance fees: 3 euro (reduced 1, 50)

Hours:
Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday: 3pm to 5pm
Saturday: 2pm to 5pm
Sunday and Holidays: 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm

The museum is closed on December 24th, 25th and 31st and on January 1st.

For further questions and if you require a private or a group visit please contact:
Wilhelm-Fabry-Museum via info@wilhelm-fabry-museum.de

All photographs courtesy of the Dr. Wolfgang Gettmann collection & exhibit promotional materials.