River Otters as Ambassadors for Aquatic Conservation: A Logical Link with Grand Teton National Park?

River otters are an appealing, charismatic wildlife species dependent on healthy aquatic environments for survival.  Otters thus have enormous potential to serve as ambassadors to promote aquatic conservation.  This presentation will review outcomes of a recent, ongoing study of ecological and sociological aspects pertaining to the population of otters along the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park.  The study is intended to establish a foundation for developing the otter as a focal species to promote aquatic education, tourism, and related conservation activities.  A large portion of the presentation will focus on images of otters and other carnivores obtained by “camera trapping” at otter latrines (areas where otters communicate with each other through scent marking) along the Snake River.  The camera trapping study provides unique insight on times of the day best for viewing otters, the value of latrines as centers for aquatic education activities, and the potential for latrines to serve as sites for monitoring other carnivores – wolves, grizzly bears, cougars, and many smaller carnivores regularly were detected at otter latrines!  

$20 per registration.

7:30-8:30 - Zoom information will be sent prior to event.

Irvine Nature Navigator discounts apply.