Illegal otter trade seizures - Asia

This map includes information on confiscations and seizures of four of the Asian otter species between the years 1983-2019.

Otters, whether live animals or their pelt and body parts, are considered high value commodities among Illegal wildlife traders and on illegal markets offline and online, a phenomena that needs to be curtailed.

The database for this map has been collated by a team of members of the IUCN Otter Specialist Group. It is an ongoing monitoring project, aimed to keep track of confiscations, shipments and uses of otters in the Asian region.

Mapping and monitoring illegal trafficking activities is essential for conservation efforts. Creating awareness of this illegal activity, alongside conservation plans for all four Asian species, is essential, as otters are bio-indicators, Apex predators and are inseparable from our healthy ecosystems. Conservation plans, awareness, legislation and enforcement efforts are crucial to keep otter populations stable and safe.

This map was created by The Tardigrade in collaboration with Wild Otters Research.