Wild Otters

The program was created to allow remote acquisition of important research and wildlife skills.
Learning otter ecology and behaviour, analyzing camera trap data, producing a literature review, and science communication are among the critical abilities.

Addresses the important data gaps in the particular range and distribution of all three otter species of the Indian subcontinent. Aims for the following:

Identify otter presence and/or confirm it (new/old range)
Verify historical data and present patterns.
For the management of species and habitats and conservation plans, provide information and proof.

We can close these gaps with the use of any observational data collected from the general public, whether from the past or the future.

Through this program, we are trying to generate awareness to stop the illegal pet trade of otters in Southeast Asia by calling artists around the world to create otter art so that people know about this animal meant to be in the wild and not as a pet.

The fact that otters are being sold as illegal pets throughout Southeast Asia, and especially in Japan, is quite alarming. The majority of the content now available online features "cute" pet otters acting "cute" while in artificial settings, encouraging more people to get otters as pets. There isn't much information available on the stress and issues these charismatic wild creatures encounter once they are captured and enter the pet trade.