World Otter Day

IOSF World Otter Day

Photo credit: IOSF

Today is World Otter Day.
The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) started Otterly Mad Week in 2009 and in 2014 this was changed to World Otter Day. IOSF is one of the world's leading otter charities. In the United Kingdom IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on over 20 years of scientific research in the UK and around the world.

IOSF has an otter rehab and release centre on the Isle of Skye. So far they have cared for over 200 orphaned and injured otters. Each otter cub that comes into IOSF care must stay with them for around 12-15 months, as this is the same length of period that they stay with their mothers. Each otter cub costs around £1,600 up until release to raise, the main cost being the fish. Despite being small and adorable, they eat a lot!

Would you want to see otters in the wild? IOSF runs otter watching days on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Join one of IOSF's otter experts on an exciting day, and learn more about tracking and signs in search of the elusive Eurasian otter. All the profits from the otter watching days go towards the work of IOSF.

If you don't have time to go to see the otters, but would like to help the great cause, you can adopt an otter or donate here.

You can also find the International Otter Survival Fund on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.