Wani Care Foundation

Nessie the new otter

On May 13, a one year old Asian short clawed otter arrived at Cikananga.  Nessie is his name. Nessie has been fostered by Ruth since he was six weeks old. He was found on the road by security guards in a housing complex in South Jakarta. After contacting JAAN for help and information about fostering a baby otter, Ruth took care of Nessie until a suitable rescue centre could be found. At long last, and by a chance sighting on the internet, Ruth found Cikananga, where Merci and Lenci are both living.
Asian short claws are very much group animals and should not live without other otters. Nessie developed relationships with humans (Ruth and her family) and a dog and cat,which compensated somewhat for the lack of otters in his life. Now we are hoping that he can be introduced to Merci and Lenci. The socialisation process with these three otters is in progress now and it looks like we can soon put them together.
Over the time that Ruth looked after Nessie, she has been in contact with and joined the IUCN’s Otter Specialist Group, who, along with the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) have given advice and support in his care.
Short clawed otters are not yet protected in Indonesia so there is little local information regarding their welfare both in captivity and the wild.
Hopefully, this will change. Cikananga  gives home now to three shortclaw otters and both the IOSF and OSG are keen to forge a supportive relationship whereby the welfare of Cikananga’s otters and any future arrivals can be assured.

Otters Merci and Lency