About Us
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.
Otters are part of the Mustelid family of animals which also includes badgers, pine martens and weasels. The otter 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.
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 and is involved in many activities across the world:
to date the IOSF have had projects in 30 countries and helped to support cubs in 12 countries, besides their own work in Scotland. International projects also include the Marine Otter in Chile, Spotted Necked Otter in Kenya, Eurasian Otter in Ireland, Hairy Nosed Otter in Cambodia.
The IOSF welcomes media enquiries, and would be delighted to hear from any journalist wishing to expand on any of the IOSF's activities.
Please contact:
Paul Yoxon, Operations Director, IOSF
E: paul@otter.org
T: 01471 822 487
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
Press releases
Conservationists kick-start project in Hungary for otters and birds
An international group of otter enthusiasts and scientists have been taking part in a practical programme of conservation in Hungary. The group,... read more
16.09.2013 • By International Otter Survival Fund
