Africa

About Otters

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Why are Otters so important?

Otter Images and Videos

Otter Species

Otters Around the World

Skye Wildlife Sightings

The Mustelid Family

Otter Watch

African Otters

Asian Otters

Find out more about our African projects (Helping Otters in Africa)

In Africa four species of otter can be found and more information is shown below:

Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis)
Spotted-necked Otter (Hydrictis maculicollis)
Congo Clawless Otter (Aonyx congicus)

Algeria

Species: Eurasian Otter

Has a patchy distribution around Bashar, Jijel and Alkala

Legal protection: Protected

Threats: High human population density and human conflicts, dams, fishing nets, hunting and stray dogs

Angola

Species: African Clawless, Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

The Spotted-necked Otter is fairly common but the other two species are rare.

Legal protection: No information.

Threats: Hunting

Benin

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Patchy distribution and both species are rare.  Spotted necked otters are highly endangered and extinction could occur if the current threats are maintained. (IUCN 2007). As part of the IOSF World Otter Day 2017, an education/awareness programme was begun in southern Benin.

Legal protection: Protected in National Parks

Threats: High human population density and hunting.

IOSF supported projects

• 2015 – Support for the attendance of Hugues Akpona and Patrice Bada at the IOSF African training workshop in Tanzania
• 2017 – World Otter Day grant to Patrice Bada for creating awareness in fishing communities
• 2017 – World Otter Day grant to Aina Fataï for education programme for 21 teachers and over 300 children

Botswana

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Both species occur in the Okavango swamps and Chobe river.

Legal protection: Fully protected

Threats: Not known.

Burkina Faso

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Both species are rare and occur in the moister south and south east of the country.

Legal protection: Protected in National Parks.

Threats: Overhunting and over fishing

Burundi

Species: Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Both species may or may not be present - the last information was from 1986.

Legal protection: Not protected.

Threats: No information.

Cameroon

Species: African Clawless, Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

All species present but little is known on distribution. The Congo Clawless seems to prefer the lowland forest areas in the southeast of the country (Alary, F et al 2002).

Legal protection: Protected in Nature Reserves.

Threats: Hunting for bushmeat, witchcraft material and the skin is used for drums.

IOSF supported projects

• 2020 – Support for Jo Gaweda, Tamara de Juana, Ape Action Africa, in the care of a Congo Clawless Otter cub

Central African Republic

Species: African Clawless, Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

All three species present. The Congo Clawless Otter is present in the lowland rainforests to the southwest of the country.

Legal protection: Protected in Nature Reserves.

Threats: Killed for food.

IOSF supported projects

• 2017 - Support for Leane Turk in the care of a Spotted-necked Otter cub

Chad

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Both species occur only in the area around Lake Chad.

Legal protection: Slightly protected.

Threats: Drying up of Lake Chad and hunting.

Democratic Republic Congo

Species: Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Spotted-necked Otter is common in Lake Tele but no evidence for the rest of the country The Congo Clawless is rare but found in the Likouala,Cuvette and Virunga volcanoes regions. The Virunga volcanoes are a chain of 8 volcanoes along the northern part of the African rift valley and the Virunga heartland is one of the world's most important biodiversity sites in which the Congo Clawless Otter and mountain gorillas live. On January 17th 2002 Mount Nyiragongo, just north of Lake Kivu erupted and the Congo Clawless Otter was affected by lava flows entering the lake.

The future of the wildlife in DRC is looking brighter after the years of civil war thanks to developments in conservation - the Congo Basin Forest Partnership Act and the work of the African Wildlife Foundation.

In February 2010 a Congo Clawless otter was rescued after its mother was killed by a hunter. The cub, Mazu, was reared by two missionaries, Glen and Rita Chapman, and she returned to the wild in 2012. That same year another Congo Clawless cub was found in the Republic of Congo, and she was transferred to Kikongo to be cared for by the Chapmans. Mazu became an ambassador for otters and there is now the Kikongo otter sanctuary, which cares for orphaned/injured otters and carries out education work and practical conservation in the local community.

Legal protection: Protected in Nature Reserves.

Threats: Not known.

IOSF supported projects

• 2010 to present – Support for Rita and Glen Chapman when they received a tiny Congo Clawless cub called Mazu. This eventually led to the formation of the Kikongo Otter Sanctuary which continues today
• 2015 – Support for the attendance of members of the Kikongo Otter Sanctuary at the IOSF African training workshop in Tanzania
• 2019 – Support for Kikongo Otter Sanctuary to improve facilities and care for cubs
• 2020 – Support for Kikongo Otter Sanctuary in their care of a Spotted-necked Otter cub

Equatorial Guinea

Species: African Clawless, Spotted-necked Otter, and Congo Clawless Otter (2006)

No recent information.

Legal protection: Not known.

Threats: Not known.

Swaziland (now known as Kingdom of Eswatini)

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Legal protection: Protected in National Parks and game reserves.

ats: Habitat loss (deforestation, overgrazing), pollution from mining, agricultural pesticides and urban waste, competition with fishermen. Otters are also used for loin skins and by traditional healers.

Ethiopia

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Both rare.

Legal protection: Protected in one National Park.

Threats: Dense human population.

IOSF supported projects

• 2015 – Support for Engedasew Andarge Ergete’s study of African Clawless and Spotted-necked
• 2015 – Support for the attendance of Engedasew Andarge Ergete at the IOSF African training workshop in Tanzania

Gabon

Species: Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

The Congo Clawless is present in much of the virgin rainforest areas (Jacques, H et al 2002), while the Spotted-necked Otter is rare.

Legal protection: Protected in Nature Reserves.

Threats: Drowning in fish traps, hunting for bushmeat.

Gambia

Species: African Clawless Otter

Legal protection: Not known.

Threats: Not known.

IOSF supported projects

• 2015 – Support for the attendance of Mawdo Jallow and Abdoulie Sawo at the IOSF African training workshop in Tanzania
• 2019 – World Otter Day grant to Karanta Camara for a programme with local fishermen and the communities in rural areas in the Boabolong Wetland

Ghana

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Legal protection: Protected in Nature Reserves.

Threats: Increasing human population is affecting the habitat.

IOSF supported projects

• 2015 – Support for the attendance of Frederick Jonah at the IOSF African training workshop in Tanzania

Guinea

Species: African Clawless Otter

Locally common

Legal protection: Protected in Nature Reserves.

Threats: Bushmeat

Guinea-Bissau

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Until 2003 only the African Clawless Otter was thought to occur which is fairly common. However, a live Spotted-necked Otter was rescued on 18 April 2003.

Legal protection: Unprotected.

Threats: Hunting of otters and agricultural development.

Paper

2003 - New species in Guinea-Bissau

Cote d'Ivoire

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Legal protection: Not known.

Threats: Loss of habitat.

Kenya

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Kakamega Forest National Reserve is located in Western Kenya, 418 km from Nairobi and is a good area to watch African Clawless Otters.

Saiwa Swamp National Park is the smallest park in Kenya, only 3km2, that was established to protect the semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope notable for its wide spread hooves which allow it to walk on the swamp. Other species of mammals include the Spotted-necked Otter.

Legal protection: Protected - a licence is required to capture and kill otters.

Threats: Deforestation and habitat loss. Recently the introduced Louisiana red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii Girard is affecting the population.(Ogada, M 2004)

IOSF supported projects

• 2005 – Support for Mordy Ogada in his work on African Clawless Otters in the Laikipia District in the Kenyan rift valley
• 2008 – Support for Mordy Ogada in a project to help otters and people by improving habitat and creating sustainable community fishfarms
• 2008 to present – working with KISTOC (Kisumu Science Teachers Otter Conservation Group) in their education programme and habitat improvement on Lake Victoria. KISTOC was started in 2004 as a non-profit organisation and works with the local community, tour guides, NGOs and a number of schools
• 2015 – Support for the attendance of Peter Nyamenya and Risper Ondiek at the IOSF African training workshop in Tanzania
• 2017 – Support for KISTOC in their education programme to train more teachers
• 2018 – Support for Peter Nyamenya in his survey of attitudes to otters in local communities

Lesotho

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

African Clawless otters are reported widely in Lesotho, especially in the Lesotho Highlands but no density estimates are known. Instead, densities of latrine sites are commonly reported during environmental impact assessments.

The Spotted-necked Otter may be extinct.

Legal protection: Protected in one National Park.

Threats: Expanding human population, habitat loss (deforestation, overgrazing, silting of streams), pollution from mining, agricultural pesticides and urban waste, competition with fishermen. There are reports that in the Lesotho Highlands, African Clawless Otters are commonly used for traditional medicine, clothes, hats, and as food.

IOSF supported projects

• 2020 – World Otter Day grant to the Human Nature Projects Organization – Lesotho for an event at the Memorial Hall in Maseru with local communities, youth representatives, Environmental Ministry officials and the United Nations Development Programme

Liberia

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

African Clawless and Spotted-necked are common in the Sapo National Park but elsewhere they are rare.

Legal protection: Protected in one National Park.

Threats: Loss of forest and silting of rivers, illegal killing.

Malawi

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

African Clawless Otter is common over most of the country and found in Lake Malawi along with the Spotted-necked Otter.

Legal protection: Fully protected..

Threats: Agricultural expansion, tourism and fish traps.

IOSF supported projects

• 2014 – Support for Sophie Bosch, Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, in the care of an African Clawless Otter cub
• 2015 – Support for the attendance of Hetherwick Msiska at the IOSF African training workshop in Tanzania
• 2016 – Support for Hetherwisk Msiska in a survey of the Phoka Drainage of the Eastern Rumphi District and looking into trade for fur

Mali

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Legal protection: Not known.

Threats: Not known.

Morocco

Species: Eurasian Otter.

Healthy populations remain in the foothills of the Middle and High Atlas but trend of populations disappearing from relatively flat Atlantic slope has increased. The decline is caused by differences in implementation of environmental policies, especially regarding water pollution.

Legal protection: Not known

Threats: Pollution, construction of dams and human pressure. There is a small trade in furs for decoration

IOSF supported projects

• 2020 - World Otter Day grant to Nature Solutions for an online webinar for people to learn more about otters, conservation and wetland habitats
• 2020 – Webinar presentation for World Otter Day

Mozambique

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Legal protection: Protected in National Parks and Reserves. Otters are in a good state.

Threats: Otters are killed for meat and skins.

Namibia

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

The African Clawless Otter is rare and occurs only in the Kunene and Okavango rivers on the northern border. The Spotted-necked Otter is found on the Okavango river.

Legal protection: Protected

Threats: Not known.

IOSF supported projects

• 2013 – Support for Johan Griffioen, Kalizo River Lodge, in the care of a Spotted-necked Otter cub

Niger

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

The African Clawless is only found in the south of the country. The Spotted-necked Otter has been occasionally reported.

Legal protection: Protected.

Threats: Habitat destruction.

Nigeria

Species: African Clawless, Spotted-necked and Congo Clawless Otter.

African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter are rare. The Congo Clawless Otter has been reported from Cross River state in the south east.

Legal protection: Protected

Threats: Pollution, habitat loss

IOSF supported projects

• 2009 – Support for CERCOPAN in the care of an African Clawless Otter cub

Republic of Congo

Species: Spotted-necked and Congo Clawless Otter.

Legal Protection: Not known

Threats: Hunting and war

IOSF supported projects

• 2010 – Support for Brandon Mills in his care of an orphaned Spotted-necked Otter
• 2012 – Support for the Harvey family caring for an orphaned Congo Clawless Otter, Kamiya, which was subsequently transferred to the Kikongo Otter Sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Rwanda

Species: African Clawless, Spotted-necked and Congo Clawless Otter.

Spotted-necked Otter is the most common living on the open lakes, while the African Clawless Otter occurs in the marshy areas. Little information is available on the Congo Clawless Otter.

Legal protection: Protected in two National Parks.

Threats: Hunting and war.

IOSF supported projects

• 2015 – Support for the attendance of Janviere Tuyisenge at the IOSF African training workshop in Tanzania

Senegal

Species: African Clawless Otter.

African Clawless Otter is widespread.

Legal protection: Protected

Threats: Not known.

Sierra Leone

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Both species are rare.

Legal protection: Protected in Nature Reserves.

Threats: Increased human activity.

South Africa

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

African Clawless Otters occur on the east and south coasts of South Africa and sporadically up the west coast to Langebaan, the Berg River Estuary, Cederberg, and all major river systems, including the Orange River. They are not common in the arid interior but have been found in desert conditions on the upper Doring River in the Western Cape. Also in the Western Cape they are known to inhabit wetlands and rivers surrounding urban areas, but problems arise not so much because of the urbanised areas at the landscape scale, but because canalised sections of river are heavily impacted by human activity

The Spotted-necked Otter is rare and only occurs in the inland waters in the east.

Tsitsikamma National Park has an otter trail.

The Goukamma Nature Reserve near Sedgefield has set up a research project on the African Clawless Otter, and is undertaking telemetry work on this species.

Legal protection: Protected in National Parks and game reserves.

eats: Expanding human population, habitat loss (deforestation, overgrazing), pollution from mining, agricultural pesticides and urban waste, competition with fishermen.

IOSF supported projects

• 1994 – Support for Leon Durbin’s survey of the Western Cape and setting up a conservation programme with local scientists
• 2014 – Support for Marc Jones, Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, in the care of an African Clawless Otter cub
• 2015 – Support for the attendance of Nicola Oakes at the IOSF African training workshop in Tanzania
• 2020 to present – Team Otter affiliated club

Sudan

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Little information is available.

Legal protection: Protected in National Parks

Threats: Otters caught in fishing nets.

Tanzania

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

African Clawless Otter is common living in rivers and streams but has declined over the years from Lake Victoria due to changes in fish populations. The Spotted-necked Otter can be found at Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika, Malawi and Rukwa.

In July 2015 IOSF held the first otter training workshop at the College of African Wildlife Management Mweka, Tanzania, where park rangers from throughout the continent are trained. Participants attended from ten sub-Saharan countries and the African Otter Network was formed, building on the African Otter Outreach Project. Until this point many people were unaware that otters even existed in Africa, and this included some lecturers at the College! Now we have people concerned for otters in The Gambia, Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and, of course, Tanzania, so the effects of the workshop are far-reaching and ongoing. Click here to read the full report.

Since the workshop, William Mgomo of the Liparamba Reserve in southern Tanzania, has been visiting many schools and working with fishing communities to create more awareness of otters and the importance of their conservation.

Legal protection: Protected in National Parks.

Threats: Expansion of human population, intensive fishing and deforestation.

IOSF supported projects

• 2015 – First ever African training workshop at College of Wildlife Management, Mweka. Report at https://otter.org/documents/InternationalWorkshops/InternationalWorkshop_Tanzania.pdf
• 2015 to present – Support for William Mgomo in his extensive educational work in schools and fishing communities

Togo

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Legal protection: Protected.

Threats: Human population and pesticides.

Tunisia

Species: Eurasian Otter

Occurs to the land west of Tunis and north of the Oued Medjerda.

On 16 February 2019 a team from The Tunisian Association for Wildlife were travelling with a film director on the road to Nefza when they found a dead otter. This was the first digital proof of their existence in Tunisia. A documentary called “operation otter" has been produced to show the ATVS team’s otter.

About 90% of people in Tunisia do not know the species exists in their country.

Legal protection: None.

Threats: Not known but pollution is a problem in the Madjerda river.

IOSF supported projects

• 2020 – Webinar presentation on World Otter Day

Uganda

Species: African Clawless, Spotted-necked and Congo Clawless Otter.

The Spotted-necked Otter is common in Lakes Bunyeni, and Kigezi but rare in Lake Victoria. The other two species are rare. Katonga Wildlife Reserve, has recently been developed for tourism. The reserve protects a network of forest-fringed wetlands along the Katonga river and all three species of otters are present. They can also be found on the Nile river but still very near the Mabira management area. Otters are found in Lake Mutanda but as yet the species has not been confirmed.

Legal protection: Protected in three National Parks.

IOSF supported projects

• 2018 - World Otter Day grant to Godfrey Lubanga for a survey on the Nile involving local communities and discussions with fishermen
• 2020 – Working with Mutanda Community Conservation Organization on otter conservation in Lake Mutanda

Zambia

Species: African Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter.

Dr Jo Thompson of the Lukuru Wildlife Research Project reported that an ecologist, Frank Willems, working in north central Zambia had confirmed that both African Clawless and Spotted-necked otters are present. He provided a picture taken on 6 August 2012 of a group of 6 Spotted-necked Otters on the Luwombwa River in Kasanka National Park. This park is just east of the international border between the very most southern tip of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. According to Mr Willems the African Clawless is not as common as the Spotted necked, which can be seen in various parts of the country.

Legal protection: Protected in National Parks - a license is required to hunt otters.

Threats: Not known.

Zimbabwe

Species: African Clawless Otter.

The African Clawless is common along rivers and man-made lakes.

Legal protection: Protected in National Parks.

Threats: Not known.