Otter ecology and conservation project
Otters occur across various habitat types both inland water bodies and coastal wetlands. In Thailand, there are 4 species of otters of which all are globally threatened. Before 2016, there were a few studies targeting otters, leaving a big knowledge gap of these threatened species in most country regions.
We started the otter monitoring project for the first phase between 2016-2020. We conducted camera-trap surveys along both coasts of southern Thailand to determine landscape features and environmental factors that are related to otters’ occupancy probability. At that time, two otter species were targeted: Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata and Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus (Fig. 1). We have produced the occupancy map of both otter species (Fig. 2) and gained more insights into the effects of those factors. The second phase (2021-2024), we aim to gain more knowledge in wider aspects that could assist with otter long-term conservation management planning in this region. With that, four sub-projects were conducted simultaneously. The first one was to determine threat levels in each area that otters exist as well as the threat hotspot through personal interview. The second one was to estimate otter population density and their genetic relatedness in two provinces (Krabi and Trang) where we found from the first phase that otter occupancies were highest. The third one was to develop spatial genetic reference for four otter species, identify geographic origin of traded otters in Thailand with the goal of improving accuracy in determining otter trafficking hotspots by comparing mitochondrial and microsatellite variation of the pet or confiscated otters with the wild counterparts. The last one was specifically targeting the endangered Hairy-nosed Otter Lutra sumatrana by surveying using camera traps in several inland peat swamps. Currently, all surveys have been completed and now we are in the process of data analysis. These data will be incorporated with the occupancy data from the first phase to allocate areas into various zones with different management actions suggested for otter long-term conservation. Finally, we aimed to deliver all knowledge and awareness to local people in the high-priority conservation and management area based on results from all scientific components of this project to mitigate the human-otter conflict and other threats to ensure the otters’ long-term survival. |
Fishing cat ecology and conservation project
Our fishing cat project can be separated into three parts. The first part is to monitor fishing cat population in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and surrounding areas which is one of the stronghold fishing cat populations in Southeast Asia, and thus long-term monitoring should be conducted to ensure their long-term survival.
We started surveying fishing cat for the first time in 2019 using camera-trap and have estimated their population density. After that, camera-trap surveys were repeated at the same locations every two years in 2021 and 2023 to monitor population change and estimate survival rate which these parameters will be used for doing population viability analysis in the future. So far, we have estimated population density for each year and survival rate within 5 years. Another survey will be conducted in 2025. The second part is to confirm the records of fishing cats in other areas that are highly suitable for fishing cats but have not been confirmed yet, or have been seen by some local people (with some solid evidences e.g. carcass, sign or photo) but their populations have not been estimated in those areas before. We have conducted several cam-trap surveys including (1) areas in Petchaburi Province in 2021, (2) areas near Pantai Norasing and Khok Kham in 2022, and (3) areas in Chantaburi and Trat Provinces in 2023. For the next two years, we are going to survey in areas around Songkhla Lake and nearby mangrove forest in Songkhla Province. Third part, as the threat is another important component that can affect animal survival, local people interviews were also conducted in the same areas where we did camera-trapping within the same period to identify specific threats toward fishing cats and their severity in each area. Data from both parts of camera-trapping and interviews as well as data from research projects of other organizations that are currently conducted in Thailand (e.g. Panthera, Zoological Park Organization) will be incorporated to produce fishing cat conservation management plan for Thailand to ensure their long-term survival in this country and Southeast Asia region, not only in specific area but have enough populations to sustain their genetic diversity as a whole. |
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