The WWF is run at a local level by the following offices...
Mammals
Of the 13 species of otters in the world, Hong Kong is home to one: the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). Eurasian otters are mainly nocturnal, but their mysterious night-time activities make it difficult to find and track them, so scientists – and the general public as well – don’t know much about them. What we do know is that rampant development and other human activities in wetlands are threatening the lives and habitats of these special creatures.
The Wetland Incubator project has gathered experts and groups of citizen scientists who are scientifically-minded detectives. They will observe and record otter signs like spraint and footprints that will allow us to better understand their distribution and population status. Design teams with inventive minds and nature-loving hearts are also being invited to help raise public awareness of otters by developing various information campaigns.
Programmes:
Otter Citizen Scientists
The efforts of Wetland Incubator citizen scientists in monitoring otters over the programme’s first two years are beginning to bear fruit, as we have gained a greater understanding of their behaviour. Also, the camera traps deployed by the team have captured some rare and precious footage that is especially important for the on-going study of mammal distribution within Mai Po Nature Reserve.
Recruitment for citizen scientists Programme - Year Three ended in Apr 2023. Some of the previous participants will become group leaders, transferring their knowledge and experience to new joiners. We look forward to seeing some exciting monitoring results in the third year – together we can help drive research into Hong Kong otters forwards!
Year 3 Otter Citizen Scientists Schedule:
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30th Apr 2023 |
Application deadline |
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Early-May 2023 |
Online interview with candidates |
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Mid-May 2023 |
Notify shortlisted participants |
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3rd Jun 2023 |
Workshop Day 1 |
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17th Jun 2023 |
Workshop Day 2 |
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July 2023 – |
Regular monthly duty: |
Spraint Detection Conservation Dog
Detection dogs have been successfully used in spraint surveys in locations around the world. The Wetland Incubator project recognised the potential of using dogs to detect spraints in Hong Kong, and began to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of involving them.
The team invited a Border mongrel to participate in some experimental research. The dog will be put 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 for further such activities that will help preserve and protect other local wild animals.
Trainer Garay and dog Aljo will soon begin conducting indoor and outdoor training at Mai Po Nature Reserve. During the training, he will wear working dog vest and be on a leash. If you meet them during your visit to the Reserve, please give the trainer and the dog plenty of space!
Otter Education Design Team
This design team was formed in November 2021. After a field trip to Mai Po and a wide-ranging workshop, the team quickly began to brainstorm and plan a series of otter public education activities. Riding on World Otter Day in May, the team designed and ran the “Little Otter Painters | Colouring Competition 2022”, held the “Oh My Otter” festival with an exhibition, workshops and an arts and crafts market, and are now creating a children's picture book called “Don't Go, Eurasian Otter!”.
《 Little Otter Painters | Colouring Competition 2022 》
The Otter Education Design Team’s first activity was to organise a colouring competition. The team invited kindergarten and primary school students to become “little otter painters” and use their artistic skills and creativity to add colour and create the perfect habitat for Hong Kong’s otters.
A total of 287 competition entries were received, and after the judges evaluated their work on criteria related to the theme, creativity, artistry, and visual effects, the winning entries were selected in the kindergarten, junior and advanced groups.
For more details on the competition and to view the list of winners click here: Contest details
"Oh My Otter" Festival
After nearly six months of preparation, the “Oh My Otter” festival was successfully held at Island House Conservation Studies Centre on 28 and 29 May 2022, attracting more than 450 participations over the two days. The festival’s exhibition allowed the public to immerse themselves in the beauty of Mai Po Nature Reserve and follow in the footsteps of the Eurasian otter on a journey to discover this native species. The design team also put on several otter “fragrant brick” workshops – these were so popular that they were fully booked in less than an hour. In addition, six local arts and crafts vendors were invited to participate in the festival’s wetland-themed handicraft market. Many visitors bought their crafts and brought home our conservation messages.
“Don't go, Eurasian Otter!” – A Children's Picture Book
”The cute Eurasian otters can be found in HK, we can't be the only ones who know about this!” Given their experience, the education design team is very familiar with the power of children’s picture books, and firmly believes these books are a great way to reach more families and teach the public about Eurasian otters. The team put together an adventure story that explored the physical characteristics, habits and threats to Eurasian otters, including various interactive elements and cute, delicate illustrations aimed specifically at children.
The book’s production is in full swing, stay tuned for updates.
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, and are now designing and building the otter spraint platforms. Their work is expected to be completed by the end of 2022, when field tests will begin to ascertain their effectiveness.
DISCOVERY
Mai Po Field Day
DISCOVERY
Mai Po Field Day
DISCOVERY
Citizen Scientists Deep Dive Workshop: Camera Trap
DISCOVERY
Citizen Scientists Deep Dive Workshop: Camera Trap
DISCOVERY
Citizen Scientists Deep Dive Workshop: Spraint
DISCOVERY
Education Designers Deep Dive Workshop: Brainstorming
DISCOVERY
Education Designers Deep Dive Workshop: Brainstorming