Hairy-nosed otter status and distribution

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Hairy-nosed otters are listed by the IUCN Red List as endangered with its population trend decreasing.  In fact, its population is believed to have declined 50% in the past 30 years.  The species was thought to be extinct, but has been rediscovered in Southeast Asian counties of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.  (range map courtesy of IUCN Red List). 

 

Hairy-nosed otters have significant threats in their range. Otters in Southeast Asia, including the Hairy-nosed otter, are the subject of intensive poaching and are hunted for illegal wildlife trade, medical use and for bushmeat.  (Otter News will explore more about this topic during Hairy-nosed otter month).

The official taxonomic listing is: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Subphylum: Vertebrata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Carnivora; Family: Mustelidae; Genus: Lutra; Species: Sumatrana.

Otter News sends sincere appreciation to Carol Bennetto for the use of her photograph in this post. 

Mazu's beginning

 Article by Jo Myers Thompson, Ph.D., original publication date - 2010

(full article available, click here)

 

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Enjoy this article on Mazu's early days



A newborn Mazu

Early in February 2010…[after killing the adult mother of a Congo Clawless otter pup, a hunter, named Mundweni, brought the newborn pup to two missionaries serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Africa.]

Glen and Rita Chapman are missionaries who have both lived most of their lives serving in the Congo. Their mission station is a small pastoral training center called Kikongo. About 170 kilometers east of Kinshasa, the capital city, their idyllic home village lies on the bank of the Wamba River (a tributary to the Kwango River) in Bandundu Province, DRC. Rita has a special gift for successfully raising wild orphans. So, Mundweni presented Rita with the newest addition to her menagerie.
 
The Congo Clawless Otter (Aonyx congicus) range corresponds to the Congo river basin. It is one of the least known otter species in the world. It has a patchy distribution across its range of occurrence and a very low density of occupation where it is found. Within their previous range, their population numbers have been reduced and they have been extirpated from areas where they may have previously been assumed to occur. There is a desperate need for conservation action and research.
Threats to Survival:  

• the escalating demand for bush meat and skins
• habitat loss and degradation
• steep decline in fish populations due to overfishing by humans with improved technology and nylon fishing nets
• pressure from development of hydro-electric power projects
• under-representation of otter habitat in protected areas
• pollution and deterioration of water quality resulting from large scale deforestation throughout their range
• growing proliferation of weapons and munitions such that now otters can be shot from pirogues and river banks
• dramatic depletion of other species (such as the hippo) who play an integral role in the food chain on which otters depend and contribute to the aquatic-ecosystem functioning that supports otter food supplies.

The Congo Clawless Otter is the most terrestrial otter species in the world and is therefore much more vulnerable to snares set on land. They are not protected by traditional taboos across their range. Some of these threats can be considered major, but more importantly is the dramatic combined effect of threats on otter populations.

 

Today (as of late 2010), the little pup is now known around the world as "Mazu" in deference to her persistent vocalizations recognized in the world of otter husbandry as the "nursing hum." Mazu means "noise" in the tribal Kikongo language. Mazu has united the interests of people around the world and in her home village. Locally and abroad Mazu has become a symbol of Congolese natural heritage and a global treasure. Through the efforts of the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF), Mazu has been introduced to the world and on this global stage has become an unparalleled ambassador for African Otter Conservation.

 

Mazu helping to teach future conservationists

The Future for Mazu: it will be inappropriate to release her back into the wild. Congolese do not have experience distinguishing between wild animals and tamed wild animals when they are hunting. So, with the support of a group of caring individuals and organizations, Glen will be providing a safe and stimulating enclosure to meet Mazu's growing needs, Rita will continue to provide the nurturing and sensitive care under which Mazu thrives, the local community will reap the benefits of global attention and Mazu will continue to teach us all.

 

Special note: Mazu was originally thought to be male so references to Mazu's gender in this article have been updated from the original publication. 

Congo Clawless otter Distribution and Status

During July 2013, follow Otter News for Congo Clawless otter month

 

Photo courtesy www.pressdispensary.co.uk, Mazu caretakers & IOSF

The Congo Clawless otter is listed by the IUCN Red List as a species of least concern, however little is known about its population tread.  It was originally thought to be, and at times still described as, a subspecies of the African/Cape Clawless otter (Aonyx capensis).

Congo Clawless inhabits the rainforests and swamps within the Congo River basin (see map below).  As mentioned during African Spotted-necked otter month in May, Congo Clawless otter habitat overlaps some with Spotted-necked otters as Spotted-necks are present in the Congo basin as well. 

Per the IUCN Red List, Congo Clawless otters are not considered to have major threats at this point; however, they still face habitat loss and are hunted for bushmeat and their skins.
  
Some common names include: Cameroon Clawless, Small-toothed Clawless and Zaire Clawless otter.  The official taxonomic listing is: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Subphylum: Vertebrata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Carnivora, Family: Mustelidae; Genus: Aonyx; Species: Congicus.

Range map courtesy www.iucnredlist.org

Marine otter distribution and status

Follow Otter News daily for Marine otter month, June 2013

Photo courtesy www.seapics.com

The Marine otter is listed by the IUCN Red List as an endangered species; its population tread is decreasing. Native countries are Peru, Argentina and Chile (see map below) and their habitat is oceanic sea, with preferences for rocky shorelines with high winds.  They are the only Lontra genus to exclusively live in marine habitats.  

Marine otters are extremely susceptible to habitat decline, pollution, excessive poaching and hunting.  Otter News will explore their threats in more depth during awareness month.  

The official taxonomic listing is: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Subphylum: Vertebrata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Carnivora, Family: Mustelidae; Genus: Lontra; Species: Felina.



map courtesy http://maps.iucnredlist.org

Denver Zoo's North American river otter, Otto

Written and Submitted by Diane Tomecek

 

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Otter News briefly introduced you to Otto, the North American river otter (NARO) at Denver Zoo, in December during our feature on the Asian Small-clawed otters, Asha and Barry Kirin, of Toyota Elephant Passage. Returning to Otto, we wanted to introduce you to this charismatic North American river otter who has spent most of his life at the zoo enjoying the fine enclosure within Northern Shores.

In October 2012 when Otter News visited with Ashley Snow, one of the staff zookeepers, she spoke first about Ariel, the 18-year-old female NARO who had passed away the previous evening. Ariel had come to the zoo in 2005 and was a rescue from Florida; she had spent time at the Florida Aquarium. Otto is 14 and was feeling a bit out of sorts during our visit; likely not sure where Ariel, his long-time exhibit partner, had gone. Otto is a rescue from Louisiana where he was caught by a trapper and then given to a rehabber. You can see the probable damage caused by being caught in a trap at approximately 3-years of age because he has some nerve damage on his right front paw as well as a few missing toes (as seen in the photo above).


Otto with enrichment - a water jug filled with live fish

Denver Zoo practices enrichment for Otto at random times during the day. He receives burlap bags of varying size and shape, multi-colored plastic balls to play with in the water, as well as a large water jug filled with live fish. Otto’s favorite enrichment has to be the large water jug – he found and consumed the fish almost immediately after Ashley dunked it in the water for him. Enrichment is a key element for a captive animal’s quality of life and Ashley and other staff have developed a number of methods for the North American river otters at the zoo.

Ashley attended an otter keeper workshop and brainstorms with many other otter keepers to create new enrichment ideas to bring to curatorial staff.  At Denver Zoo, they have a curator of behavioral husbandry who oversees all training and enrichment at the zoo.  The zookeepers bring the curator lots of creative and fun enrichment ideas and then it is her job to approve them based on whether the enrichment will emphasize natural behaviors and be safe for the animals.  In fact, Ashley has just recently informed Otter News that a series of enrichment methods have been approved; these items include duck decoys, pvc endcaps, dog beds and aneGGe dog toy.

The enclosure for Otto is quite substantial and he enjoys his 8-foot-deep pool. As discussed in our feature of the Asian Small-clawed otters, the Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit employs a habitat sharing concept for the animals. Since the exhibit’s opening in 2012, staff have been brainstorming ways to potentially incorporate this shared habitat concept throughout the other areas of the zoo. Additionally, because the zoo is on city land, it has limited capacity to expand habitats for other animals, including Otto. Therefore, staff is getting creative, brainstorming many ideas for the exhibit!  To create a more natural feel, staff constructed a planter garden atop one of the concrete platform ceilings which goes over Otto’s den.

 

After discussing the outside habitat, we moved behind the scenes to see where Otto receives training and any necessary medical treatment. The otter keeper workshop and discussions with Denver’s Downtown Aquarium emphasized to Ashley and other staff the need to develop an interesting addition to the enclosure where Otto receives any necessary medical treatment. They took a pipe, cut it in half and attached it to the cage. Now, Otto is being trained to go into this section, which helps him feel more secure while receiving any needed injections or other medical treatment.

 

Otto is quite a fun otter to watch. In fact, Otter News has recently returned to Denver Zoo to see him again. He was out swimming and romping around his exhibit on that warm Saturday afternoon. Denver had experienced some very cold weather the week prior and the waterfall in the enclosure had become quite frozen. However, the warmer temperatures of the day had begun to allow the ice to melt away. Otto enjoyed the ice as it broke off - playing and entertaining the visitors with his ice wielding antics! It was good to see him again.

 

Otter News is especially excited to bring our followers the news that Otto will soon have a companion otter! Ashley and zoological staff have been working with the SSP (Species Survival Plan) program to identify an otter that will be able to call Denver Zoo home.  The companion for Otto is coming from a facility on the west coast.  Keep following Denver Zoo on Facebook, www.facebook.com/DenverZoo, and via their website, www.denverzoo.org for more information. Otter News will keep following as well and will definitely let everyone know when Otto’s companion arrives.  

Otter News extends its sincere appreciation to Ashley Snow and Denver Zoo for this interview as well as taking such great care of the otters we all love!!

 

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African Spotted-necked otter Status & Distribution

The African Spotted-necked otter is listed by the IUCN Red List as a species of least concern because of its widespread distribution; however, its population tread is said to be decreasing. Their habitat overlaps to some degree with both the Cape Clawless and Congo Clawless otters; more so with Congo Clawless as Spotted-necked otters are present in the Congo Basin. (see map below) They are considered possibly extinct in the countries of Burundi, Ghana, Lesotho and Togo.

 

Their common names are Speckle-throated, Spot-necked or Spotted-necked otter. The official taxonomic listing is: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Subphylum: Vertebrata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Carnivora, Family: Mustelidae; Genus: Lutra; Species: Maculicollis.

Spotted-necked otters face similar threats to other otter species, i.e. habitat degradation and being viewed by locals as competitors for food sources. However, they are also killed themselves as a food source. Additionally, biological contaminants have been discovered in the bodies of deceased animals.

Zoo Duisburg's Giant otters - Part IV

Otter News is very excited to bring our followers the final installment in this excellent series on Zoo Duisburg and the Giant otters in their care.   We also extend sincere appreciation to Béatrice Dumiche, Mr. Ulrich Kluckner, Dr. Jochen Reiter and Dr. Wolfgang Gettmann.

Written & Submitted by Béatrice Dumiche

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Today's post begins with the continuation of the discussion on struggles experienced by Giant otters in their native habitat.

The reality of conservation issues facing Giant otters is the major obstacle for a successful reintroduction of them to their native habitat. It emphasizes how much our vision of the future is still unbalanced and unsure because at a global level a decision has yet to be made.  Do we continue business as usual since the industrial revolution and continue using that evolving technology as a model for emergent countries or do we change the standards of modern living to meet an ethical imperative founded on what the latest biological knowledge of evolution reveals to us about ourselves? The criticism that zoos are just a kind of useless reserve is rather pointed in this political contradiction due to the inner tension that characterizes our occidental thought aiming at a Kantian ideal [Editor's note: according to Wikipedia, Kantian ethics revolve entirely around duty rather than emotions or end goals] which is out of reach in an always insufficient practice. Instead of provoking a moral impulse to act for the best, it provides too often alibis for a status quo which favors the confusion between causes and consequences and designates the wrong people to blame. Whilst the Studbook helps the reasonable management of an increasing giant otter zoo population due to the sharing of complex knowledge which raises the  standards of every participating institution.  Through each institution's efforts, the biological diversity has been increased yet controlled and the current and future giant otter generations will be dependent on the multiplication of zoos that will be able to provide them a decent place to live because nothing has changed in the wild. The strict demands of the IUCN stipulate that all the causes for the endangerment of a species have to be eradicated before a reintroduction can be taken into consideration and may no doubt make the most common sense and interest given current conditions. We may need to consider other and additional ideals in future conservation policy in order to push forward.

The limitations of zoological programs are revealed because they alone can’t change the world; they become to a certain extent the victims of their own success and they will have to live with this contradiction. It is their merit however that the display of exotic animals lost its unquestioned innocence and paved the way for a new perspective and an unexpected, maybe revolutionary idea, of international cooperation and development in the countries where giant otters originate. Working for wildlife conservation appears to consist of saving local populations and their living by stimulating their defenses while at the same time endangered and weakened species of their regions are made fit for survival. To make this concept function efficiently implies both changing the mentalities of those in the receiving countries as well as revising our own standards and understanding of what we call civilization through large educational efforts.  Zoos contribute to this education through cooperating with schools as an independent actor of public interest.

This means zoological facilities are inevitably confronted with strong oppositions from at least two sides.  On one hand, misunderstood ecological concerns that will not resign to accept real conditions which take time and understanding to transform because the ideals can not be changed without the approval and the cooperation of locals in foreign countries who have been abused so often in their aspirations for a better living.  On the other side is the anthropocentric ignorance which does not consider the tasks of the modern contemporary zoo as an attempt to initiate a unique and novel relationship between humans and animals, which truly, at the current time, can only be successfully conducted in terms of compromise. Hence zoos are quite vulnerable to attacks from global industrial interests because these interests wish to avoid the change of a status quo. 

Additionally, we must keep in mind a different fact: while the animals under zoological care overall become older and older, the age that the individuals of the same species living in the wild is decreasing constantly. Therefore, until the success of zoo policy in breeding endangered species is supported by a global awareness of the human consequences that arise when animals lose their traditional habitat, the animal's preservation under the best available conditions in zoological facilities is the only viable alternative.

Implemented educational programs also have an impact to the future of giant otters. Zoos cannot be blamed for a global iniquity for which they do not have either the financial or the political means to radically transform. In fact, they need to be accepted as ecological actors with a high educational value. They attract the attention of children regarding unknown exotic animals for which they would like to know more. This interest can ignite a passion for the animal’s living conditions as well as the foreign countries where the animals originate; and it can create a curiosity about the local fauna and the general belonging of animals. Thus, thanks to their zoological experiences, the future generations of children may be prepared to be mediators between the creatures they experienced and grew to love and a highly technological civilization which seems to draw limitlessly from natural resources.

Béatrice Dumiche wishes to particularly thank Dr. Reiter for proof reading and checking the information about Zoo Duisburg.  Visit Zoo Duisburg's website:

www.zoo-duisburg.de.

Otter News sends sincere appreciation to Béatrice and all involved in the production of this article.  We hope everyone has enjoyed learning of the Giant otters at Zoo Duisburg and will consider visiting them in the future.