Giant Otter Conservation in Suriname
The Giant Otter is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and is listed as Endangered by the IUCN. This species is protected by law in Suriname though this is rarely enforced. The total global Giant Otter population size is low but, more critically, individual subpopulations are fragmented and small. Because of its conspicuous behavior and social nature, this species is easy to extirpate and is therefore extremely vulnerable. The Giant Otter is intrinsically vulnerable to extinction, because of low habitat resilience, the fact that only 25 -33% of the total population reproduces, late maturity, late breeding age, suspected low transient survival and low cub survival. This species is distributed on a continental scale, but they may occupy less than 5%, often less than 1% of a given watershed. This means that changes in this specific habitat, or impacts there-in, will have severe effects even if only a fraction of the overall area is affected (IUCN, 2020). This vital link to rivers and wetlands makes the Giant Otter much more susceptible to changes and threats in especially small watersheds, such as the Coesewijne River.
The main objective of this project is the development of conservation actions and awareness on the importance of the conservation of Giant otters in Suriname.
WPS will support the Giant otter in the Coesewijne River, because this site had one of the the highest population densities of Giant otter during surveys in the period 1976-1978. These locations are prime Giant otter habitat due to floodable swamps and slow flowing blackwater creeks (Duplaix, 1980). The Coesewijne River is heavily used by fishermen and hunters from the city and people in large numbers along the river. It is suspected that people also camp on Giant otter campsites and this could cause a threat to the Giant otter population.
Main activities include:
- Gathering Giant otter population data by conducting surveys, water quality measurements and determination of threats in the Coesewijne River in collaboration with NCD and local communities and write population and threats status report.
- Training locals from the Indigenous communities Kalebaskreek, Bigi Poika as field assistants for research activities and create job opportunities for locals as guides and local rangers.
- Development of a Giant otter conservation plan, including the set up a long-term Giant otter monitoring program based on the population status report with involvement of the NCD and the local communities.
- Increasing the awareness on the importance of the Giant otter for the local communities, fishermen and hunters by developing and distributing awareness materials.
Furthermore we are aiming to find funds to start the implementation of the developed Giant otter conservation plan, including a long-term monitoring program where the Indigenous communities of Kalebaskreek and Bigi Poika have an important role. Further it will be necessary to support the NCD with logistics so they can enforce the nature conservation law and developed conservation policies. Support of the Indigenous communities with the development of alternative income sources, such as ecotourism based on wildlife species.
