The Bedford Estates, London
International Otter Survival Fund
The International Otter Survival Fund is an organisation working towards protecting and conserving the 13 species of otter that live across the world.
Through education, rehabilitation, reducing illegal pet trade and research they work to protect these endangered species and help them to survive in the wild.
THREATS TO THE SPECIES
Classed as 'Vulnerable in the wild' otters main threat is deforestation, this is resulting in the loss of hill streams. Swamps and mangroves are being drained which is causing otters to move closer to human acitivty where they are seen as pests. The development of intensive agriculture including tea and coffee plantations destroyed their habitat and resulted in streams and rivers being polluted, damaging the amount of prey. They are also hunted for their pelts and organs, which are used in traditional medicines.
They are listed as appendix ll of CITES, which means the trade and export of this species is heavily regulated and controlled to protect them.
