World Otter Day was initiated by the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) and has been celebrated annually with a goal of raising awareness of the current status and threats of otters all around the world are facing. It is a successful event where countries around the globe organized events and activities to educate the public and fundraising. Although otters can be found globally, but the species are different in every continents (except Antarctic), with special mention of the hairy-nosed otter is endemic to Southeast Asia. This event will be celebrated on the 26th May 2021.
There are 13 species of otters and all of them are listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. While in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is among the countries with the highest number of species per country i.e. the four otter species; namely the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra; Asian small-clawed otter, Aonyx cinereus; smooth-coated otter, Lutrogale perspicillata; and the hairy-nosed otter, Lutra sumatrana. The hairy-nosed otter is classified as globally Endangered. Asian small-clawed otter and smooth-coated otter are listed as Vulnerable while Eurasian otter is listed as Near Threatened.
MNS Otter Project was implemented in 2019 and the Malaysia Otter Network (MON) was established in 2020 to promote the conservation of the four otter species as the Wetland Ambassador in Malaysia. Thus, MNS and MON will hold joint annual event with the other organizations around the world to celebrate World Otter Day. This year we will be celebrate the otter in their urban and natural wetlands by organizing a series of activities live on MNS Zoom platform for two days. On the 27th May 2021, there will be a launch (2 pm – 2:30 pm), international and local forum on otter conservation (local forum at 2:30 pm – 4 pm; international forum at 5 pm – 7 pm). On the 28th May 2021, there will be a live session with the otter in Taiping Zoo (9 am – 10:30 am) and an otter talks for the MNS School Nature Club (Kelab Pencinta Alam, KPA) (4 pm – 5 pm). Stay tuned for more updates on all MNS media platforms.
Poster was designed by Epikinono Studio.