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

Volume 26 Issue 2 Pages 65 - 131  (October 2009)

Workshop Report
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INTERNATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP ON ASIAN OTTER RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION

February 24th to March 3rd, 2009

Cambodia

Carol Bennetto

carol.cobo@virgin.net

A BIT OF BACKGROUND

It happened over a cup of coffee at the Xth International Otter Colloquium in South Korea in 2007. Annette Olsen (Conservation International), Lesley Wright, Grace Yoxon (International Otter Survival Fund), and I commented on the presentations we had heard about the huge decline of otters in Asia and decided that to make the research worthwhile, we would have a go at doing something. So Furget-me-not was born, along with the concept of an otter workshop in Cambodia, if we could get the funding. Furget-me-not is a campaign of the IOSF and during the last year a lot of awareness and fundraising has taken place despite the poor economic climate. In Dec 2007 Dara, the world’s only captive hairy-nosed otter, was rescued from his captors where he would have been doomed for the fur trade. He was sent to Phnom Tamau Wildlife Rescue Centre where a new pen had to be built, and which was paid for by the IOSF through fundraising mainly by Knowsley Safari Park. The Rescue Centre then lost its funding from Wild Aid as they pulled out of Cambodia, so as a result all the otters at the Centre needed feeding: 11 smooth-coated and 1 hairy-nosed otter. Wild Aid has recently returned, but Furget-me-not and IOSF continue to feed and support the otters here. Fundraising included ‘Dara’s day’ at town centres and zoos, jumble sales, street events, and raffles: anywhere where we could raise awareness, and generate funds.

THE WORKSHOP HAPPENED

The workshop was organised and hosted by Annette Olssen and her colleagues from Conservation International, Cambodia Programme, and also funded by IOSF Furget-me-not, Asian Otter Trust, Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation, and Twycross Zoo UK. Also involved were the Cambodian Forestry Administration, Fisheries Administration, and Ministry of the Environment, who as partners on the ground, have taken a keen interest in otter conservation, and who are working with Conservation International both in-situ and ex-situ to protect otters in Cambodia.

The Cambodian Otter Conservation Project was initiated in 2006 as a partnership between Conservation International and the Forestry Administration. The project initially focussed on conducting surveys in Cambodia to learn more about the range and status of otter species. The project found a population of hairy-nosed otters on Tonle Sap Lake, and probably the world’s largest population, so a lot of effort has gone on to protect the species here. Cambodia is a crucially important country for global conservation of otters. Three of Asia’s species live in Cambodia: The Asian small-clawed otter, Aonyx cinerea, the smooth-coated otter, Lutra perspicillata, and the Hairy-nosed otter, Lutra sumatrana. All of these species are threatened throughout Asia by degradation of wetlands, depletion of food sources and hunting for the wildlife trade. Otters are harvested in their thousands throughout the region because their fur gets a high price in the illegal wildlife trade.

The smooth-coated otter (Figure 2), is relatively abundant in Cambodia (although very rare worldwide and is classified by the IUCN as vulnerable with an urgent need for conservation action to prevent extinction). The hairy-nosed otter (Figure 1) is probably the world’s rarest otter, and was believed to be extinct until a few isolated and highly threatened populations were recently found. A 2008 assessment of the status of this species has led them being listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This species is still found in Cambodia. The small-clawed otter (Figure 3) has recently been up-listed to vulnerable on the Red List as it has been hunted extensively throughout Asia. This species is still found in Cambodia. The Eurasian otter (Figure 4, listed as lower risk as in Europe and northern Asia the populations are stable) however is under severe threat in the South East Asian part of its range.

Hairy-nosed otter eating fish on a rock Two smooth-coated otters sitting up in the water Asian Small-Clawed Otter sitting on a rock Eurasian Otter coming out of the water

Figure 1: Hairy-nosed otter

Figure 2: Smooth-coated otter Figure 3: Asian small-clawed otter Figure 4: Eurasian otter
Click on pictures for larger versions

The local understanding of the importance of the conservation of otters is very low in Cambodia. Despite the Forestry Administration listing 2 species on the rare list of nationally protected species, many decision makers and Protected Area managers are unaware of the global importance of Cambodia’s otter populations. Compared to other ‘high status’ species, such as tigers and elephants, otters have received little attention. This is mainly due to a lack of funding, research and conservation actions focusing on these species.

The workshop was arranged to help improve the interest, awareness and for support for protection of otters in Cambodia, and to build much needed research capacity and knowledge in Cambodian university students and government staff, as well as international researchers (Figure 5).

All the workshop participants
Figure 5. All participants in the workshop (Click for larger version)

The Objectives

The objectives of the workshop were to:

  • Create a high-level awareness about otter conservation with relevant government departments and decision makers.
  • Support and guide the decision-making process for future updates of the national Red List to ensure that otters are listed on the best available information.
  • Select and train 10 University BSc and MSc students in otter research and conservation methods. This will be based on field methods and will enable the students to undertake much needed studies on otters in the wild in Cambodia. During the workshop the students developed research proposals; the 2 best were chosen and the students given a small research grant to carry out their work with support from the CI/FA otter team.
  • Select and train 3 government appointed officers in otter research methods. This will ensure site based research, with government staff support, protected area management, and red list reviews. CI will support these staff in the future to conduct research, raise awareness of otter conservation at field sites, and to train rangers to improve otter protection.
  • Invite and train international otter researchers from the region in otter research. This will ensure that key otter researchers throughout the region learn the best methods for otter focused research, and also help create a network of researchers throughout the region.
  • Bring in otter experts from around the world to meet Cambodian researchers and discuss priorities and action steps for future otter research and conservation, both in Cambodia and throughout the region. These experts, most of whom are members of the IUCN Otter Specialist Group, also functioned as trainers and presenters for the workshop.

The Hairy-Nosed Otter

In 2008, Wright et al published a paper on the status of the hairy-nosed otter summarizing all that we knew about hairy-nosed otters at the end of 2008. CI is currently developing extensive research and conservation at key sites at Tonle Sap Lake to undertake in-depth studies of the hairy-nosed otters here, and through training, awareness, and community based activities, to improve the conservation of otters and other wildlife. As a result of the workshop Cambodian students are conducting surveys at key sites to identify more sites with hairy-nosed otters.

AND NOW THE WORKSHOP

The workshop lasted for 8 days and was action-packed.

Day 1

The first day focused on the global conservation status of otters, their threats, and specific issues and opportunities for otter conservation in Cambodia.  Several key Government representatives were invited to help raise awareness and interest in otter conservation in Cambodia (Figure 6 - 8).  Classroom based training of students by Cambodian and international otter experts followed. This was done by PowerPoint presentations, interactive role play - which really helped us to get to know each other - and discussions. There was a pre-course test for the students (and for us all just to check our knowledge!).

From the left: Nicole Duplaix, Annette Olsson (standing), two government officials and Padma da Silva (right) The workshop banner, showing all contributing organisations including CI, International Otter Survival Fund, Otter Specialist Group, Furget-Me-Not, Rufford Asian Small-Clawed Otter sitting on a rock
Figure 6: Workshop opening with Government officials Figure 7: Workshop banner Figure 8: Nicole Duplaix addressing the participants
Click on pictures for larger versions

Day 2

Early start and off to Phnom Tamau Wildlife Rescue Centre (Figure 9) to meet the Director, Mr Ratanapich, and Nick Marx from Wild Aid, who lives on a shoe string but is a key player at the Centre, and who works tirelessly for the rescue of illegally kept animals.

We visit the otter enclosures, and some of the other rare, captive wildlife there, some of which will be released.  There is a strong emphasis here on rehabilitation.

The workshop participants arriving at Phnom Tamao
Figure 9. Phnom Tamau Rescue Centre (Click for larger version)

From there we travel to Koh Kong town, the biggest part of the road having been only tarmaced last year.

Day 3

Classroom based activities today started with ecology and threats to Asian otters, tracks and signs, camera trapping, otter observations, project design and development (research questions, methods, and site selection), spraint analysis, and finishing with the student presentations (Figures 10 and 11). In the evening the students became the tutors, and had much fun as we learnt Cambodian dancing.

Three of the students during a discussion session Three more students presenting their report
Figure 10: Classroom discussion Figure 11: Student presentation
Click on pictures for larger versions

Day 4

More class room based activities covering how to do an otter survey, and social surveys with role play practice. We covered how to use GPS, map reading, and field safety.  Then after lunch off the field site, to the river Tatai Krom where we went down stream in small boats to interview an indigenous family (Figures 12 and 13)  to do initial field observations, and to put into practice what had been learnt in the classroom (Figure 14). We were divided into small groups supervised by a trainer. We all recorded our data, and we presented the results to the group on the last day. We were practicing how to carry out a survey, record, analyze and present data.

House on wooden stilts on with a ladder for access via a veranda, walls and roof made of panels of thatch.  Three of the workshop participants standing on the ground, interviewing the village elder sitting cross-legged on the veranda of his house Participants clustered around Nicole Duplaix who is demonstrating use of GPS in the field
Figure 12: The family home of the village elder Figure 13:Talking to the village elder Figure 14: Nicole Duplaix addressing the participants
Click on pictures for larger versions

Day 5

Back to the field but further downstream to practice camera trapping, tracks and signs practical (smooth-coated otter (Figures 15 - 21) surveying and habitat assessment. A lot of hands-on experience today – well, feet in mud anyway! We were given lunch here, cooked by the local family, and we all ate in their house and dried off after we got totally soaked in the morning (Figure 22).

Smooth-coated otter running across riverside sand Denning site in riverside sand Otter faeces Paticipants picking their way through reeds and water

Figure 15: Smooth-coated otter

Figure 16: Smooth-coated otter den Figure 17: Smooth-coated otter scat Figure 18: Walking through the boggy water to place the camera trap
The camera is attached to the tree in the middle of the shot, and the participants are checking the positioning of the tripwire to get the best photograph of a passing animal Dr Hussain demonstrating how a site is recorded Participants on a small boat travelling on the river as the rain streams down. Large house on stilts, built and roofed with planks

Figure 19: Setting up the camera trap

Figure 20: Positioning the site Figure 21: The storm arrives Figure 22: We are given food and shelter with the family who live here
Click on pictures for larger versions

Day 6

Scat analysis practical (Figure 23), student time on project development, and bus back to Phnom Penh

Professor Padma de Silva in dark blue showing participants how to examine debris in scat analysis
Figure 23. Padma de Silva leading the scat analysis session (Click for larger version)

Day 7

Early start to Tonle Sap Lake where 2 hours later we board a boat to one of the communities living on boats in the flooded forest. The area is now protected and managed by CI and the Cambodian Fisheries Administration. It is great otter habitat here, and has small fishing communities living within the area. Annette has been doing a lot of conservation work here with the community, and with which CI has started collaboration for habitat and wildlife protection, including otters. Annette has been doing education work here with the school teacher and with the children in the school. There are 15 children in the school, and in groups of 3 they gave a presentation of the paintings they had drawn, each with a conservation message about their environment and the wildlife. (This is part of a large project CI has started here at this and other villages) It was hard to choose a winner! There were 3 judges, Padma, Hussein, and myself. See Figures 25 – 33. After lunch prepared by the community, we set off in small boats and at one site we found scats of hairy-nosed otters on a low branch of a tree, in the flooded forest habitat (Figure 24).

Hairy-nosed otter scat with a ruler for scale The boat has a building on it, with a large banner announcing what it is, and some of the CI personnel are shown on the veranda. The viillage is a group of houseboats around an area of weeds in the lake Houseboats along a 'street' of water

Figure 24: Hairy nosed otter scat

Figure 25: CI’s research boat on Tonle Sap Figure 26: The village Figure 27: Typical village homes
People on a floating platform next to a house with boxes of produce and tubs of fish sauce The children paddle their boats to school Two girls in black and white uniforms hold up their poster in front of the class The children with Syed Hussain (back), Padma da Silva and Carol Bennetto (right).  The children are holding green and blue bags with their prizes in
Figure 28: Making fish paste Figure 29: The school children go to school by boat Figure 30: They give presentations … Figure 31:… and get prizes
  Poles with fishing nets strung between them on the lake Sokrith Heng holding up a Lutra sumatrana skin that was tanned after the animal was drowned in fishing nets  
  Figure 32: Fishing is their main livelihood Figure 33: Pelt of a hairy- nosed otter found in nets in December 2008  
Click on pictures for larger versions

Day 8

Student presentations and projects, student tests, and otter Olympics. Presentation of certificates, and dinner in the evening with sad goodbyes.

Headline from the Phnom Penh Post: Otter Workshop to Promote New View on Conservation; Experts home a workshop on otter protection will transform the way Cambodians think about the critically endangered species
Figure 34. Article in Phnom Penh Post

During the workshop the Cambodian students were given time to develop proposals for future studies in otter research and conservation. Of the final 6 proposals, 2 were selected. The 2 chosen were partly selected because the results will greatly contribute to the knowledge of otters in Cambodia which will be very useful for future planning of conservation efforts, and partly because these students showed great motivation and interest to work with otter research. One group of students will carry out a project with the title ‘Food and habitats of smooth-coated and small-clawed otters at Kashep Stream, Veun Sia district, Ratanakiri province’. The other team will carry out a project titled ‘Exploration of species and distribution of otters at Tropeang Rong Koh Kong Province’. These projects have now started, thanks to the support of CI, Furget-me-not and IOSF.

AND A FINAL NOTE

The workshop was a success in many ways. A large number of Cambodian University students were trained in otter research, were keen to learn and showed a lot of interest and gained a great experience. Annette believes we managed to create a group of future otter (and other wildlife) researchers in the academic world in Cambodia. By supporting these students in future otter focused work we will keep their interest and motivation. During the first half day, where government representatives were invited, we seem to have created better awareness of otter conservation and interest in the government, which is so important for the future otter-focused work in Cambodia. The government-run Phnom Tamao Wildlife and Rescue Centre holds the only hairy-nosed Otter in captivity in the world and is therefore crucially important for this species.

Nicole Duplaix, Annette, and I, met with the director of the centre and discussed opportunities for ex-situ conservation work for otters. This meeting was very positive and had great outcomes based on collaboration and knowledge sharing for keeping and breeding hairy nosed otters.  After a request from government staff, the deputy chair of the IUCN Otter Specialist group, Nicole Duplaix, and Annette, met the Director of the Cambodian Forestry Administration, who is directly responsible for conservation of otters in Cambodia. The meeting went well and the director of the FA showed great support for otter conservation. One Cambodian language newspaper and one English newspaper covered the first morning of the workshop, with following articles in the newspapers and mention on national radio, which greatly helped to spread awareness about otters and their conservation importance to Cambodia.

Trainees from Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Pakistan also joined the workshop. They were either students or researchers, with a special interest in otters. They all thought the course improved their skills enormously and were eager to return home to apply their knowledge to their own work.

Having people in the workshop from so many countries all interested in and learning about otters was such a great way of creating a strong network with collaboration across the whole region. This will greatly improve communication and collaboration and sharing of knowledge in the future.

Several of the trainers at the workshop, who are also members of the IUCN Otter Specialist Group, got the chance to meet, to catch up and discuss thoughts and ideas for conservation activities in the future. It was agreed that this kind of training was very useful and should be repeated in other Asian countries, when possible. It is a great way to get young people trained and motivated to carry out other otter related work and to enforce the networks and to share the experiences.

REFERENCES

Wright, LC, Olsson, A and Kanchanasaka, B (2008). A Working Review of the Hairy-Nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana). IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 25 (1): 38 - 59

GLOSSARY

CI

Conservation International
Website: http://www.conservation.org/Pages/default.aspx

CI/FA Otter Team

Conservation International / Cambodian Forestry Administration Otter Team (partnership project)
Website for Forestry Administration:
http://www.forestry.gov.kh/AboutFA/VisionMision_Eng.html
Website for Fisheries Administration
http://www.maff.gov.kh/eng/depts/fia.html

Phnom Tamau Wildlife Rescue Centre

Link to an article about Dara the hairy-nosed otter at Phnom Tamau Wildlife Rescue Centre
http://wildlifealliance.org/news/in-the-news/otter-gets-new-digs-at-phnom.html

Furget-me-not

Website: http://www.furgetmenot.org.uk/

IOSF

International Otter Survival Fund
Website: http://www.otter.org/

IUCN

International Union for Conservation of Nature
Website: http://www.iucn.org/

IUCN Otter Specialist Group

Website: http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/

IUCN Red List

The goals of the IUCN Red List are to:

  • Identify and document those species most in need of conservation attention if global extinction rates are to be reduced; and
  • Provide a global index of the state of change of biodiversity

Website: http://www.iucnredlist.org/

Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation

Website: http://www.rufford.org/

Wild Aid

Website: http://www.wildaid.org/

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