The final Wednesday in Might is used yearly to deliver consideration to the conservation of otter species worldwide, it falls on the twenty eighth of Might this 12 months.
Cambodia has three species of otters, the hairy-nosed (Endangered), small-clawed (Weak) and the smooth-coated (Weak). The graceful-coated is essentially the most prevalent species in Cambodia.
Otters within the Pet Commerce
Whereas otters are sometimes portrayed as endearing and playful animals on social media and in so-called “otter cafés,” this reputation has come at a big price. The rising demand for otters as pets is now one of many major drivers of unlawful poaching from the wild.
Many individuals are unaware that otters are extremely unsuitable as home animals. Hand-rearing younger otters is exceptionally difficult, and research point out that over 70% of otters offered on-line are below one 12 months outdated. Tragically, many of those juveniles don’t survive to maturity.
These which might be rescued from the pet commerce regularly present indicators of maximum stress and psychological trauma, usually exhibiting irregular repetitive behaviours referred to as ‘stereotypies’. A distressing quantity have additionally had their canine tooth forcibly eliminated in an try to cut back the danger of biting.
Our Wildlife Speedy Rescue Workforce works laborious to cease the commerce of otters earlier than they attain folks’s properties. Our animal care crew works laborious to rehabilitate the rescued people.
Otters at Angkor
In July 2019, a household of 5 smooth-coated otters was relocated from Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre to a pre-release enclosure throughout the Angkor Protected Panorama. This marked a key milestone in a broader rewilding initiative that has been underway since 2013, in collaboration with the APSARA Authority and the Forestry Administration (FA). Simply 4 months later, the otters made the choice for themselves — digging below the fence and venturing into the wild.
Since their launch, the household has thrived, efficiently elevating a number of litters. This 12 months alone, they’ve welcomed 5 new pups, bringing the full variety of otters within the space to 16.
For guests to Angkor Wat and the encompassing temples, catching a glimpse of those otters of their pure habitat has grow to be a uncommon and magical addition to their expertise — a testomony to the success of considerate conservation in motion.
Learn: An Otter’s journey to freedom…
Learn: Patreon Otter day
