This campaign has now closed
Otters have become a popular pet in Asia, sourced through the illegal wildlife trade and often kept in poor cramped conditions. The rise of their popularity has also been heightened on social media. Many are discarded and the rescue centres that care for them are struggling with numbers.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
Worldwide otter numbers are declining from pollution, habitat loss and poaching. Young otters are taken for pets from the wild and illegally shipped in poor conditions. Social media fuels this desire for exotic pets. Owners want their otters to be 'social media stars' increasing demand but “cute” behaviour is often stress related. Animals rescued from the trade go to specialist centres for care and if they cannot be released they remain there for the rest of their lives.
Solution
Raising funds to provide new enclosures and support feeding and vet bills Support for centres in their education/public awareness programmes to discourage people from taking otters as pets.
