Spotted-necked Otters in Africa and River Otters in North America: A Contrast in Human Dimensions Challenges for Developing an Aquatic Flagship

Social science investigations have demonstrated otters as being popular species to many North Americans and Europeans, attitudes likely fostered by various media portrayals of the intelligence and playful nature of this group... [ view full abstract ]

Social science investigations have demonstrated otters as being popular species to many North Americans and Europeans, attitudes likely fostered by various media portrayals of the intelligence and playful nature of this group of animals (Thirteen species of otters are distributed among five continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.). Such favorably attitudes and a dependence on aquatic habitats offer potential for otters to serve as aquatic and ecotourism flagships (i.e. a symbol to promote aquatic conservation and ecotourism). However, little is known about public attitudes towards otters outside of North America and Europe, and characteristics of species that engender support from the public are known to vary considerably among cultures. I and colleagues developed a five-element conceptual model comprised of ecological and sociological elements integrated in a manner that collectively serve to guide the process of evaluating and developing the potential of otters to serve as flagships. I review elements of the model and demonstrate potential challenges to its universal application likely to be imposed by differing cultural, economic, and wildlife conservation policies/systems in different regions of the world by contrasting conservation experiences with the spotted-necked otter (Lutra maculicollis) in Rubondo Island National Park, Tanzania and North American (NA) river otter (Lontra canadensis) in Pennsylvania, USA. Ecological assessments and associated challenges were comparable for spotted-necked and NA river otters, but familiarity, knowledge, and interest differed considerably among stakeholders associated with the respective species. Specifically, familiarity with the NA river otter was >90% (regardless of stakeholder group and demographic partitioning), but <40% for the spotted-necked otter. Negative perceptions about the predatory habits of otters (i.e., the otter as a predator of fish) were generally low (<20%) for both species, but interest in seeing and interacting among stakeholders associated with the NA river otter was more than twice than those associated with the spotted-necked otter. Promoting the spotted-necked otter as a flagship will require extensive educational-outreach efforts to increase familiarly with all stakeholder groups (from local citizen to international tourist). Initial outreach efforts with local school children have been promising in generating familiarity and interest in the spotted-necked otter.