NOMADIC WILDLING
Hairy Nosed Otters in Peninsular Malaysia
The Hairy Nosed otter is the rarest of the four species of otters occurring in Asia. In 2013, a Hairy Nosed otter was spotted along the western part of Taman Negara, almost two decades since it was last seen anywhere in peninsular Malaysia. Otters are the ideal flagship species for conserving the rapidly degrading riverine ecosystems of Malaysia. Identifying the essential resources and the particular threats to this species is crucial to formulating conservation strategies to ensure its survival. The lack of baseline information on the species, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia has been a major stumbling block in this regard.
The objectives of this project are to:
1) Establish the distribution of Hairy Nosed Otter populations in Peninsular Malaysia
2) Gather information on the habitat, ecology and threats to Hairy Nosed Otter populations
3) Identify areas for species-based conservation and engage local communities, who depend on the resources of the rivers, in the conservation process.
4) Develop and implement a successful community based conservation model for in situ conservation of otters in Southeast Asia.
5) Establish a regional network of support for otter conservation and advocate for the 4 species and their riverine ecosystem
Otter Trade in South East Asia
The IUCN-SSC Otter Specialist Group, in collaboration with TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, is collating all available data pertaining to seizures of otter pelts, otter body parts, and live otters in South, East and Southeast Asia. A preliminary assessment of data collected so far suggests that otter pelts are being widely traded throughout the Asian region. The only way to mitigate this trade is to better understand it and as of now there are big gaps in the trade data. My objective is to build a better picture of Otter trade in this region.
My project is supported by:
