The last Wednesday in May is used every year to bring attention to the conservation of otter species worldwide, it falls on the 28th of May this year.
Cambodia has three species of otters, the hairy-nosed (Endangered), small-clawed (Vulnerable) and the smooth-coated (Vulnerable). The smooth-coated is the most prevalent species in Cambodia.
Otters in the Pet Trade
While otters are often portrayed as endearing and playful animals on social media and in so-called “otter cafés,” this popularity has come at a significant cost. The increasing demand for otters as pets is now one of the primary drivers of illegal poaching from the wild.
Many people are unaware that otters are highly unsuitable as domestic animals. Hand-rearing young otters is exceptionally challenging, and studies indicate that over 70% of otters sold online are under one year old. Tragically, many of these juveniles do not survive to adulthood.
Those that are rescued from the pet trade frequently show signs of extreme stress and psychological trauma, often exhibiting abnormal repetitive behaviours known as ‘stereotypies’. A distressing number have also had their canine teeth forcibly removed in an attempt to reduce the risk of biting.
Our Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team works hard to stop the trade of otters before they reach people’s homes. Our animal care team works hard to rehabilitate the rescued individuals.
Otters at Angkor
In July 2019, a family of five smooth-coated otters was relocated from Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre to a pre-release enclosure within the Angkor Protected Landscape. 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). Just four months later, the otters made the decision for themselves — digging under the fence and venturing into the wild.
Since their release, the family has thrived, successfully raising several litters. This year alone, they’ve welcomed five new pups, bringing the total number of otters in the area to 16.
For visitors to Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples, catching a glimpse of these otters in their natural habitat has become a rare and magical addition to their experience — a testament to the success of thoughtful conservation in action.
Read: An Otter’s journey to freedom…
Read: Patreon Otter day
Leave A Comment