WCC 2020 Res 098 - Progress Report

The implementation of the 098 resolution is interlinked with the implementation of the IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group 2019 Global Otter Strategy and its 72 targets.

Projected impact for 2021–2025:
- Improve knowledge on status of African species, especially Congo clawless otter and Spotted necked otter.
- Upgrade Lutra sumatrana from CITES appendix II to I.
- Reduce otter pet trade in Asia.
- Improve communities involvement in otter conservation.
- Improve conservation planning capacities of OSG members.
- Support conservation strategies for marine species
- Increased collaboration with other SGs involved in freshwater species conservation and production of shared documents.
- Enhance best practices for captive otters.
- Acknowledge OSG affiliation in otter research publications

Activities and results:
Targets 2021–2025

ASSESS
T-014 Ensure affiliation to OSG is mentioned in peer-reviewed papers.
Status: On track

T-015 Conduct Red List assessment for the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Lebanon, Borneo, Indonesia, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan, Azerbaijan, Syria, Mongolia, Jordan, Iran and Japan.
Status: On track

T-016 Conduct Red List assessment for the Eurasian Otter in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
Status: On track

T-017 Conduct Red List assessment for the Eurasian Otter in non-EU European countries.
Status: On track

T-018 Assess impact of hunting on North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) in the US.
Status: On track

T-019 Assess impact of hunting on Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in Iraq.
Status: On track

T-020 Assess impact of hunting on Smooth-coated Otter in the Russian Federation.
Status: Not initiated

T-021 Circulate a questionnaire to members on climate change impacts.
Status: On track

T-022 Complete Red List assessment of all 13 Otter species.
Status: Achieved

T-023 Make Red List training mandatory for assessors and the management team.
Status: On track

T-024 Assess threats to Otter species in Sikkim, India and other key areas in the Himalayan region.
Status: On track

T-039 Complete Green Status assessment for all species.
Status: On track

T-043 Launch two OSG research projects in South Africa, Uganda and Benin.
Status: Achieved

T-056 Promote research on emerging threats in freshwater habitats.
Status: On track

PLAN
T-027 Expand Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) plan.
Status: On track

T-028 Develop the Himalayan Otter Conservation Strategy.
Status: On track

T-029 Develop an action plan for endangered and/or isolated populations of Eurasian Otter.
Status: On track

T-030 Develop an action plan for endangered and/or isolated populations of Eurasian Otter in Africa.
Status: Not initiated

T-031 Survey conservation plans already planned.
Status: On track

T-032 Ensure every threatened species has a plan.
Status: On track

T-034 Conduct a funding search for the ‘Otters of Nepal’ book for community conservation.
Status: Achieved

T-035 Plan a Sea Otter and River Otter conservation meeting.
Status: Achieved

T-037 Develop a conservation strategy for the Eurasian Otter in the Alps.
Status: On track

T-038 Use GSP guidelines on IUCN engagement in global policies – Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), CITES, Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) –
to help OSG members becoming engaged in national policies.
Status: On track

T-040 Develop conservation plans for critical areas: Borneo as species hotspot.
Status: On track

T-041 Develop conservation plans for critical areas: Sub-Saharan Africa.
Status: On track

T-057 Develop a Nepal Otter Action Plan.
Status: On track

T-064 Produce a mini-version of the World Otter Conservation Strategy for broader distribution.
Status: Not initiated

T-065 Write and distribute How to Save an Otter conservation planning methodology book.
Status: On track

ACT
T-025 Enact Citizen Science initiatives in Asia.
Status: On track

T-026 Enact Citizen Science initiatives in Africa.
Status: On track

T-042 Reschedule meeting in Singapore to 2025 to set up a wildlife trade monitoring plan: local actions to enhance Otter conservation in key Otter trade source and consumer countries.
Status: On track

T-044 Develop eDNA probes for freshwater Otter species.
Status: On track

T-045 Develop a standard survey protocol and guidelines for Asian species.
Status: On track

T-046 Develop a standard survey protocol and guidelines for African species.
Status: On track

T-047 Test and implement eDNA monitoring of Eurasian Otter (Himalaya, India, Nepal, Italy).
Status: Achieved

T-048 Prepare background materials for proposal to list Hairy-nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana) on CITES Appendix I.
Status: Achieved

T-049 Develop Google Map of OSG research and conservation actions worldwwide.
Status: On track

T-050 Sustain and expand the Himalayan Otter Network.
Status: On track

T-051 Expand the Lighthouse project expeerience to hotspot critical areas.
Status: On track

T-052 Promote an African Otter Network.
Status: On track

T-053 Promote an Alpine Otter Network.
Status: On track

T-054 Prepare an updated version of the 1983 CITES Otter identification manual.
Status: Not initiated

T-055 Control pet trade for Asian Smallclawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus) and Smooth-coated Otter.
Status: On track

T-071 Prepare new guidelines for Otters in captivity.
Status: On track

T-074 Sustain Giant Otter conservation.
Status: Achieved

NETWORK
T-001 Promote funding of projects in Africa.
Status: On track

T-002 Promote funding of projects on pet trade in Asia (Indonesia, China, India, Nepal).
Status: On track

T-003 Trace distribution of partnerships across assess, plan, act, network and communicate.
Status: On track

T-004 OSG Otter Partners: extend participation in OSG activities to otter supporters and NGOs. Create guidelines for this new form of OSG membership.
Status: On track

T-005 Establish in-kind partnerships with local governments and NGOs.
Status: On track

T-006 Carry out members survey.
Status: On track

T-007 Identify gaps in OSG skills.
Status: On track

T-008 Strengthen collaboration with other IUCN components (IUCN National Committees, Freshwater Conservation Committee, Climate Change Specialist Group, Conservation Planning Specialist Group).
Status: Achieved

T-009 Survey and map OSG projects.
Status: On track

T-010 Support European Union-funded projects for Otters.
Status: Not initiated

T-011 Involve research institutions, associations, zoos, NGOs, national parks and Veterinarian Health Service in roadkill collection and necropsies.
Status: On track

T-012 Train in conservation planning.
Status: On track

T-013 Document on threats to freshwater species.
Status: On track

T-036 Expand involvement with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(WAZA) and One Plan approach.
Status: On track

T-068 Build capacity of people involved in projects in Africa.
Status: On track

T-076 Create an Otter Youth Circle and promote capacity building within their members.
Status: Achieved

COMMUNICATE

T-058 Expand World Otter Day community celebrations on multimedia.
Status: On track

T-059 Expand World Otter Day community celebrations in Asia.
Status: On track

T-060 Expand World Otter Day community celebrations in North America and Canada.
Status: On track

T-061 Expand World Otter Day community celebrations in Central and South America.
Status: On track

T-062 Expand World Otter Day community celebrations in Europe.
Status: On track

T-063 Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) day village celebrations in Peru and Brazil.
Status: Achieved

T-066 Expand available OSG otter educational materials to new countries and languages.
Status: On track

T-067 Strengthen the collaboration with IUCN One Programme and work more closely with the Commission on Education and Communication.
Status: Achieved

T-069 Hold the XVth International Otter Congress.
Status: Achieved

T-070 Establish an OSG Newsletter.
Status: Achieved

T-072 Publish OSG Bulletin regularly.
Status: Achieved

T-073 Organize the 1st Eurasian Otter Workshop.
Status: Achieved

T-075 Celebrate 50th OSG anniversary (1974-2024).
Status: On track

T-077 Organize the 2nd Eurasian Otter Workshop.
Status: On track