Spraint Detection Conservation Dog

   

Detection dogs have successfully assisted in spraint surveys around the world. The Wetland Incubator project recognised the potential of including dogs to detect spraints in Hong Kong and began to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of this method.

The team invited a Border Mongrel to participate in our pilot research. The dog will go through different training stages and assessments, including environmental desensitisation and odour detection training – conducted off-site at first, then at the Reserve. This will be the first pilot project to use a detection dog for conservation purposes in Hong Kong. If it is successful, this could pave the way to help preserve and protect other local wild animals.

Trainer Garay and Aljo have begun conducting indoor and outdoor training at Mai Po Nature Reserve. During training, Aljo would wear working dog vest and be on a leash. If you meet them during your visit to the Reserve, please give them plenty of space!

Otter Spraint Platform

   

Observing and collecting otter spraints is an excellent way to understand their distribution and identify individuals. Given the knowledge that otters mark their territory by placing spraints on prominent features, the project initiated a cooperative programme with Lok Sin Tong Wong Chung Ming Secondary School to design man-made platforms that will act as accessible prominent features for the otters. The platforms will also be equipped with an infrared camera to record the behaviour of otters that use them. The programme allows the students to utilise design thinking to create a platform that can withstand changes in water levels – a more holistic approach to finding and collecting spraints.

By June 2022, students had completed a series of field trips and otter workshops. After the designing and building process, their work is finally completed and deployed in the reserve. Field tests has begun to ascertain the effectiveness of the platform.

Artificial Otter Holt Design Challenge

   

Deep Bay wetlands serve as an important habitat for the Eurasian otter. Yet, it remains a mystery on where the local otters rest, sleep and reproduce, as otter holt has never been found in Hong Kong. Given the threats and challenges faced by the local otter population, it is crucial to make an effort to enhance their habitat and expand our research on otters in Mai Po Nature Reserve, which could potentially be the last refuge for the species. One widely adopted method to achieve this is by building artificial otter holts.

We are now calling for design proposals for Artificial Otter Holt Design Challenge.
Anyone with creativity and a curiosity about nature is welcome to join. A Design studio, Mudwork will also collaborate with us on this project. This challenge will combine innovative conservation design with craftsmanship to create the holt.

Individuals or groups with feasible designs will receive:  
•  A field visit to Mai Po Nature Reserve
•  Guidance from WWF’s Habitat Management and Research Team on active wetland management and the Eurasian otter, which will help them fine-tune designs to be more feasible
•  Instruction from professional crafts experts on craft techniques
•  Certificate of appreciation  

The selected design(s) will be constructed and deployed at the Reserve. It will hopefully offer a secure place where otters can rest, sleep, and even breed and raise their cubs.

Participation options:  
1) Individuals: 18 years old or above  
2) Teams (up to 4 members per team):  
- 18 years old or above, or  
- Secondary school students led by a schoolteacher (each school can send more than one team)  

Project proposal toolkit [Click here download toolkit]:  
•  Basic information on the Eurasian otter
•  Artificial otter holt references
•  Design proposal guidelines and criteria

  Register for the Zoom briefing
(Deadline: noon, 13 Oct 2023)
  Submit design proposal
(Deadline: noon, 5 Nov 2023)

Timeline: