Aadrean

Ecology and Conservation of Otter in West Sumatra

A small-clawed otter is foraging in fast flow river.

A smooth-coated otter on large river stone.

Traditional sand mining.

Students with otter poster and leaflet.

Town/RegionCountryCategoriesDate
West SumatraIndonesiaAsia, Mammals9 Oct 2009

In this project, otter in five wetland type will be studied; rice field, river, lake, swamp, and coastal area.

This project consists of five main activities; social survey by interview, tracks and signs survey, direct observation, scat analysis and socialization of otter ecology. Three days field work will be performed twice a month with total 20 fieldtrips. Otter existence, threats and other local information are gained by interviewing key informants. Tracks and signs surveys are in line with standard method for otter survey that outlined by Reuther et al (2000). Otter tracks and signs including scat are recorded and collected.

In case of positive signs found, direct observation by night spotting will be performed. Fish inventory from surround water body is needed as reference materials in scat analysis. Activity will be continued in laboratory to analyze scat by comparing with reference materials. Public awareness is achieved by presentation, leaflet and poster dissemination about ecological function of otter in wetland.

For further information contact a2drean@gmail.com

Project Update: February 2010

We have conducted a preliminary survey as part of the West Sumatra otter project. We have surveyed some wetland habitat in eastern Bukit Barisan area in West Sumatra province - Lake Singkarak and some rivers. We found human activities cause habitat destruction for otter, especially in rivers. Many sand mining and gold mining activities were found in this area. Based on interviews, there is decreasing population of otters. We make this statement as preliminary conclusion from people information that explains the rarity of otter encounters compared to several years ago.

Project Update: September 2010

We have found two species inhabiting West Sumatra: smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) and small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus). Smooth-coated otter inhabit rivers and lakes. Small-clawed otters can be found in many wetland types: streams, rivers, swamps, rice fields and areas set aside for fish culture. In fast flowing rivers with large stone we found both species are sympatric. We got pictures of both species in a river in Taratak village.

Project Update: December 2010

On December 17th 2010, we came to Senior High School of Lubuk Alung sub-district. We presented a discussion with the student scientific group of this school. The topic was otters of Indonesia: species and ecological function in wetland. We had interesting discussions with this group. Destruction of Batang Anai River by sand mining was a hot issue. Batang Anai River provides many roles for the Lubuk Alung sub-district people but these wetlands are threatened by massive and unmanaged sand mining. In this discussion we also disseminated otter posters and leaflets to students. We hope our presentation will foster an understanding of ecological function of wildlife and increase students’ attitude to care for the environment, wildlife and especially otters.

Final Report

Read more about the activities undertaken and findings of this project in the final report below.

Our paper from part of this project has been published in IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin. You can download it from this link:
http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/Bulletin/Volume28/Aadrean_et_al_2011...

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Final Report756 KB

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