IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
© IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group

Volume 17 Issue 1 Pages 1 - 58 (April 2000)

Abstracts

Feeding of the Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis) in the Coastal Region of the Rio Grande Do Sul State, Southern Brazil
Pages 6 - 13 (Article)
Elton Pinto Colares and Helen Francine Waldemarin
Abstract
In the coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, in southern Brazil, three areas were monitored to study the feeding habits of the neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) using spraint analysis. The National Park of the Peixe Lagoon was monitored seasonally between August 1995 and July 1996, in the Senandes Creek five samplings were done between June and December 1995 and in the Estiva Creek monthly samplings were done between May 1995 and July 1996. In each of these areas spraints were collected and stored. In the laboratory they were washed, separated and identified. The only area where it was possible to do a seasonal analysis of the feeding habits was the Estiva Creek. In all areas fish was the item found in the great number of spraints and crustaceans also had a considerable importance in areas with salt-water influence. The other items found were present in few samples, being them mollusks, insect, reptiles, birds and mammals. The differences observed in the feeding habits of the species between seasons and areas probably reflects the availability of different preys, agreeing the species opportunism.
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Utilisation of Resting Sites and Dens by the Neotropical River Otter (Lutra longicaudis) in the South of Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Brazil
Pages 14 - 19 (Article)
Helen Francine Waldemarin and Elton Pinto Colares
Abstract
This work was undertaken between March 1997 and February 1998 and aimed at verifying the frequency of utilisation of resting sites by the neotropical river otter (Lutra longicaudis). The banks of a creek located at the northern limit of the Taim Ecological Station (RS) were searched eight times, looking for places with signs of use (footprints, scratches, spraints, etc.). On the first field trip, sites found were marked and named according to some basic characteristic that allowed its re-identification on future field trips. During this work, thirteen resting-places were found to be used only once, whilst eight were used on more than one occasion. Of these, only one was used by the species on all field trips. No otter den was found in the area during the study. Otter spraints were found at 90% of the resting sites, footprints at 12%, and scratches at 16%. All the resting sites used more than once were above water during the whole study period and only one of them was located outside the woods, being found on a grass-covered bank. Based upon the results obtained, we could hypothesise that, even though the species uses this creek for resting activities during all year, it is probable that it is not used for reproduction.
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Sexual Differences in the Behaviour of Young Otters (Lutra lutra)
Pages 20 - 30 (Article)
Rosemary Green
Abstract:
Differences in the behaviour of young animals, which it was supposed were gender based, had been noted over 15 years of caring for otters. When the opportunity of studying two same sex pairs arose, detailed observations were made to compare and quantify behaviour. Two male and two female otters were observed, housed in identical indoor pens, side by side, with a gutter for sprainting and cleaning, two beds at the end opposite the door and a grille which allowed the pairs to see and touch each other. There were both quantitative and qualitative differences in the activity of young male and female otters. Both sexes spent much of their time inactive, but the males were less active overall, sleeping or resting more often and longer, playing less vigorously, not grooming at all and spending much time standing quietly watching the females. Playfulness, popularly considered characteristic of young otters, was shown only by the females. Males fought frequently over food, displaying dominance by the older animal even when the younger was larger whereas females seldom fought and never over food - they would sometimes share a large fish without dispute. Males regarded carers aggressively, but females behaved in a friendly fashion and were interested in the world outside the pen. Males always sprainted on a single heap where the females could see and smell it, and renewed their heap within 5 minutes of it being removed during cleaning; females sprainted all over their pen. Many of the behaviour patterns of wild otters were seen in these young otters but there were significant differences between males and females. As all of these otters had been abandoned before the usual age at which cubs leave the natal holt and had had no chance to observe or experience such behaviour, it is suggested that these differences are innate.
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Presence of the Giant Otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, in the Corrientes Province, Argentina
Pages 31 - 33 (Report)
Marcelo D. Beccaceci and Tomás Waller
Abstract:
The skull of a giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) recovered in the Corrientes Province from Argentina is described.  The skull, which lacks one upper canine and the lower mandible, is believed to be several decades old.  This is the first collection of biological material confirming the existence of this species in the province.
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Giant Otter Project in Peru: Field Trip and Activity Report 1999
Pages 34 - 45 (Report)
Jessika Groenendijk, Frank Hajek, Sandra Isola and Christof Schenck
In 1999, the Giant Otter Conservation Project of the Frankfurt Zoological Society - Help for Threatened Wildlife (FZS) was given new impetus with the full-time presence of staff in Peru, both within the field as well as in Lima. The four main objectives of the Project were pushed forward: (1) capacitation, promotion and networking initiatives were furthered; (2) government institutions were advised with respect to habitat and Giant Otter management; (3) scientific research was carried out in order to complement existing results; and (4) contributions were made towards the development of a national distribution map for the species. Following, a more detailed account of each of these key activities is given.
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Records of the Giant Otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, from Guyana
Pages 46 - 51 (Report)
Adrian Barnett, Becca Shapley, Shawn Lehman, Everton Henry and Paul Benjamin
The results of interviews and surveys of status of the giant otter are presented. These include information on Pteronura brasiliensis on the upper Potaro River and other rivers in Guyana. Suggestions are made for future work on giant otters on the Potaro Plateau. These include monitoring the effects of mining, studies of mercury poisoning, ecotourism feasibility studies and autecological studies.
The wrong version was printed in error. The correct version is in Volume 17(2)

Otters Lutra lutra killing Mountain Hares Lepus timidus
Pages 52 - 54 (Report)
Jim Conroy and Derek Calder
During the winter, otter Lutra lutra were found to be kill mountain hares Lepus timidus in the Scottish highlands. The possible method of killing is discussed. Hares and other mammals are an important part of otter' diet during winter.
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