INTERNATIONAL OTTER SURVIVAL FUND 7 Black Park Broadford Isle of Skye IV49 9DE Tel/FAX: ++1471 822 487 www.otter.org March 2017 For immediate release

Breaking news: First EVER photographic record of Eurasian Otter reported in Iraq A rare otter has been seen at the Mosul Dam in northern Iraq by photographers, Bruce McLennan and Bob Zook, who were working up at the dam when they spotted the otter and managed to get clear photos of it. They contacted the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) in Scotland, who immediately put them in touch with Omar Al Sheikhly from the University of Baghdad, and Filippo Barbanera, from the University of Pisa, Italy, who have been working on the genetics, observations and gathering data on Iraqi otters, and through a National Geographic Society Conservation Trust granted project (up to 2015) they were monitoring populations. There are two species of otter in Iraq, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) and a sub-species of the Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli), which is only found in Iraq. It is also called Maxwell’s Otter after the famous author, Gavin Maxwell. During his travels in Iraq in 1956 Maxwell found a young otter cub which he brought back to the UK. This otter became famous as Mijbil in his book Ring of Bright Water and the subsequent film. The new photos at Mosul Dam (Nineveh Governorate) revealed that this was in fact an adult Eurasian otter. A full report from Iraq will be published in the IOSF Journal in May*. In September 2015, Al Sheikhly et al were the first to obtain a photo of the Smooth-coated otter since 1956, which was taken in the south of Iraq, near Basra. He was invited to give a talk on otters in front of the Iraqi Prime Minister at the TEDxBaghdad 2015 event, a programme which aims to inspire and stimulate initiatives that can improve lives and work toward a better future for Iraq and humanity as a whole.

Al Sheikhly was delighted with the news. He said “Thank you once more for sharing your remarkable record with us. Please note that your record is the first photographic record of of Eurasian Otter in northern Iraq ever! Well done.” Otters are regarded as excellent environmental indicators worldwide – as they use both the land and the water both habitats have to be in pristine condition, which is important for all species including our own. Iraq was one of the countries represented at the COP21 climate change conference in Paris in 2014 and among the media preparations Maxwell's otter was used as a symbolic figure to represent the importance of water quality in the Iraqi marshes. Habitat destruction, hunting and trapping resulted in a serious decline of otters in Iraq. The Marsh Arabs have a strong tradition of hunting otters for their fur or taking the cubs for pets. Otters are protected by Iraqi law and there are great efforts being put into habitat restoration. Dr Paul Yoxon, Head of Operations at IOSF, said “At a time when most news from Iraq concerns war and reconstruction, it is encouraging to receive positive news which demonstrates the great conservation work which continues in spite of all the hardships. These photos are a real symbol of the success of these efforts.” - ENDSMedia notes:

The IOSF welcomes questions and interviews, as well as requests for images at any time. *The IOSF will be pleased to email a copy of the journal, please advise if you'd like a copy when published (or would like to receive all future copies). The regular IOSF newsletter also contains the latest worldwide project news, again please request to be added to the mailing list. More background can be found within the IOSF Annual report - at: www.otter.org/Public/News_LatestAnnualReport.aspx

A selection of IOSF images are available to download** at: http://tinyurl.com/ImagesIOSF If you require higher resolution of any image please contact [email protected] IRAQ images: should be credited to Bruce McLennan and Bob Zook **please credit accordingly, thank you. IOSF website: www.otter.org

A protected species All 13 species of otter in the world are listed in the IUCN Red List. They are being exploited for commercial gain and in some places hunted almost to extinction. Their habitat is being destroyed and fish stocks depleted. And they are being killed on our roads. The trade in otter furs in Asia is huge and is largely overlooked – for every tiger skin found there are at least 10 otter skins and one haul in Tibet had 778 otter skins. The species found in the UK is the Eurasian otter, which is listed on Appendix 1 of CITES, Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. It is protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations (1994), and it is also listed as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. The European sub-species is listed as globally threatened on the IUCN/VCMC Red Data List. Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) can be designated on the basis of the presence of otters.

About the IOSF The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) is one of the world's leading otter charities, and was inspired by observing otters in their natural habitat. Because the otter lives, feeds and plays on land and in the water and is at the peak of the food chain it is an ambassador species to a first class environment. IOSF was set up to protect and help the 13 species of otter worldwide through a combination of compassion and science.

The IOSF support projects to protect otters, which will also ensure a healthy environment for all species. To achieve these aims IOSF has many activities: + Otter Hospital - on Skye there is a specialist rehabilitation centre which cares for injured and orphaned otters from throughout Britain. + Education - IOSF runs courses for people interested in otters and give talks to schools, natural history groups, etc. + Research - Otter surveys and work to reduce otter deaths on the road + Campaigns - The major campaign (Furget-Me-Not) is to combat the fur trade in south east Asia, starting in Cambodia. In the UK IOSF is supporting the call for a ban on the use of snares in Scotland. International projects include the Marine Otter in Chile, Spotted Necked Otter in Kenya, Eurasian Otter in Ireland, Hairy Nosed Otter in Cambodia. IOSF is also holding a series of otter conservation training workshops in Asia – in September a workshop will be held in China.

Otters are part of the Mustelid family of animals which also includes badgers, pine martens and weasels. There are 13 species of otter around the world and many of them are endangered. To date the IOSF have had projects in 30 countries and helped to support cubs in 12 countries, besides their own work in Scotland.

Grace Yoxon was presented with the IFAW Animal Action Award for Conservation in 2012. The IOSF was Wildlife Conservation Award Winner, British Animal Honours 2013. Paul Yoxon has worked on my TV and radio programmes including Wildlife on One, The One Show, Animal Hospital and Blue Peter. Both Grace and Paul have had many books and articles published. The latest to this list is Otters of the World - The first book providing spectacular photographs and an insight into the lives and behaviour of ALL 13 species of otters. Available direct from the IOSF Ottershop, at www.ottershop.co.uk

IOSF is an international fund set up to conserve otters worldwide and is organised by SEC Ltd solely for this purpose. INTERNATIONAL OTTER SURVIVAL FUND 7 Black Park, Broadford, Isle of Skye IV49 9DE Tel: 01471 822 487 www.otter.org Email: [email protected]

Wildlife Conservation Award Winner, British Animal Honours 2013

IFAW Animal Action Award Winner 2012

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Patron: Julian Pettifer. Joint Presidents: Laurence Broderick, Dennis Furnell. Head of Operations: Dr Paul Yoxon IOSF is an international fund set up to conserve otters worldwide and is organised by SEC Ltd solely for this purpose. Reg No 109031. Charity No SC003875