Major Steps taken towards Otter Conservation in Indonesia

A cooperative project on otters of West Java undertaken by the Indonesian Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHPA) and Asian Wetland Bureau- Indonesia is nearing completion. Fieldwork was carried out and data collected in 15 representative wetland areas between July 1993 and May 1994 to determine which otter species occur, and their distribution and habitat use in West Java. Final reports are in preparation and will be available by the end of this year (1994). The conclusions are presented, translated from Indonesian, which identify threats (wetland conversion to rice fields, settlements, aquaculture, pollution, prey reduction due to pollution and direct conflict as pests), summarise the role of otters (enrich Indonesian biodiversity, a matter of national pride, ecological health indicators, control of pests in rice fields, public entertainment) and suggest follow-up (immediate listing as protected, guarding of hybrids to prevent escape into the wild, improving public awareness, foundation of an Indonesian Friends of the Otter group, standardisation of otter names).