Help to Protect and Conserve Otters Around the World by Voting for the International Otter Survival Fund

Posted on 05 Jun 2023 by Emily Atkinson-Dalton
The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) is one of the three fantastic charities taking part in the Discount Promo Codes charity poll this June. You can cast your free vote to support the care, protection and conservation of otters around the world, and help this near threatened species to thrive in their habitats. Find out more about the work of IOSF below, and see how your vote can change the lives of beautiful otters in the UK and beyond.

What Does the International Otter Survival Fund Do?


The International Otter Survival Fund is dedicated to helping otters in the UK and around the world to thrive in their natural habitat. Inspired by observing these incredible creatures in the wild, IOSF was created to protect the 13 otter species which live around the world and are a vital part of several environments and ecosystems which impact all species. They work alongside and are partnered with other organisations whose primary concern is protecting otters living in the wild as well as those in captivity, which includes combating the high prevalence of wildlife crime which often involves otters.

 

How Do IOSF Help Otters?


Since 1993, The International Otter Survival Fund has helped otters in several countries and continents around the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Central and South America, America and Canada. They do this in a number of ways, including:

● Educating and encouraging local communities to recognise the importance of otters and the impact that certain activities can have on these majestic mammals.

● Carrying out research on otter behaviour, habitat, protection, persecution and conservation.

● Dispelling myths around otters which cause many to participate in harmful activities such as hunting of otters or destruction of their habitat

● Raising awareness around current harmful trends or activities taking place around the world such as the pet otter trade.

● Calling for changes to laws to increase otter protection

● Raising funds and awareness to help otter sanctuaries and rescue charities around the world.

otter

 

What Species of Otter Are There?


There are 13 otter species including the Eurasian otter, Sea otter, Giant otter, Southern river otter and several more. A complete list of otter species can be found here, where you can also find out more about where each species is found and what threats they are currently facing.

Otters are members of the mustelid family, which also includes badgers, weasels, mink and martens. They have existed, to some degree, for over 30 million years, with animals resembling otters adapting to their environment over the years to become the animals we know today.

 

Why is Otter Conservation and Protection Important?


Otters are unique, inquisitive, playful and beautiful creatures who are currently under threat. The 13 species of otter that currently exist globally are all in the Red List of Threatened Species, and are vulnerable to further decline and even extinction.

This would be catastrophic as not only would we be losing an incredible species, but a species which is vital to ecosystems around the globe. The wetlands are full of biodiversity and are heavily relied upon economically, and otters are a top predator in this valuable environment, however due to threats such as habitat loss, pollution, roads, human interference, fisheries, trapping and illegal pet and fur trade otters have become increasingly vulnerable. Without otters, local food webs, wetland habitats and biodiversity are at great risk of collapse.

Some activities impacting otters include otter culls, in North America over tens of thousands of otters are legally killed by trapping and the illegal fur and pet trade has led to otters being hunted in Asian countries.

Through the International Otter Survival Fund and the organisations that they work with, otters can have someone to fight for their conservation and protection, ensuring that we do not see the end of these incredible creatures and the destruction of the natural world.

otter iosf

 

How Can I Support the International Otter Survival Fund?


This June you can support the IOSF right now, for free by voting for them in our June charity poll! Simply visit our Homepage and scroll down until you see the charity poll on the right hand side (or at the bottom of the page on mobile). Vote for The International Otter Survival Fund and you can help them win a donation of 20% of our profits!

You can also support them through Donating to IOSF, or even Adopting your own otter! Perfect as a gift or for yourself, adopting an otter means that you can support otter conservation whilst getting an adoption pack full of otter-related gift from toys to posters. You can also find a variety of small, everyday ways to give on their Ways to Give page.

If you are in the market for otter related items or want to get the perfect gift for an otter fan, then you can always visit the Otter Shop and support IOSF by purchasing a great gift.

otter international otter survival fund

 

How Can I Contact the International Otter Survival Fund?


If you want to get in touch with the IOSF team then you have a few different ways you can do so. Send them an email at [email protected] or give them a call on 01471 822 487. You can also pop them a message via their Contact page.

You can find out more about otters and the work of the International Otter Survival Fund by visiting their website.

If the International Otter Survival Fund get your vote, then don’t forget to support them in our charity poll this June. You have the power to help otters all over the world, and conserve this incredible species in just 2 clicks of a mouse. Share the poll with friends and family, and let them know about the importance of otters and how they can help by voting for the International Otter Survival Fund.

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