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| Just one of the magnificent Border Fine Arts pieces up for auction |
(IOSF) received a most unusual bequest - a very large collection of
Border Fine Art figurines, depicting otters.
The collection was left in the will of a long-term loyal supporter,
who stipulated that her collection should be given to the IOSF, and
used to raise funds to help their conservation work. It includes some
magnificent (and much sought after) pieces which are rather large.
This caused a dilemma back at the charity's base, in Broadford, as to
sell them on their website would entail costly shipping and, more
importantly, the risk of an item getting damaged in transit.
The team put their heads together, and decided upon an auction - the
offer to host the event quickly came from the owners of the Ledgowan
Lodge Hotel, Achnasheen, Wester Ross, with free use of the venue's
function rooms.
The auction takes place on Saturday, 24 September, with viewing of the
auction lots between 2pm and 6pm.
Volunteers have agreed to help the IOSF team on the day/evening, and
Achnasheen local, musician Steve Jones has volunteered to be
auctioneer for the evening.
The auction starts at 7pm, and will certainly attract collectors and
dealers of Border Fine Art, who it is hoped will be generous in their
bidding. Payment by PayPal and credit card (and cash) will be accepted
on the night.
The lots for auction have now grown considerably, with pledges of
donations arriving daily, and include donations from around the
Highlands, from hotels, artists and other supporters. For example,
Eoghain Maclean Photography, Kinlochewe, has donated two beautiful,
limited edition, mounted A3 prints, and Bryan Islip, of Aultbea, has
donated a signed, limited edition, mounted print entitled "Dawn over
Kessock Bridge" - this is particularly apt, as in recent weeks the
IOSF have been nursing an otter with broken legs, who was found close
to the bridge in Inverness.
During August, the IOSF ran a competition asking people to pledge a £1
to name him - the competition has been drawn, and the winning name was
Kilburn - suggested by Michelle Gabriel. Her reason for this choice is
"I follow a very brave young lady called Rosie Kilburn, she is
seriously ill, but raises money for a health charity. I thought of her
and how she had endured pain, but has come through it and I'd love to
name your otter after her."
Michelle has been sent a enlarged for photograph to pass on to Rosie.
Kilburn is now making good progress in the IOSF rehabilitation centre,
but it is a slow process, and it is hoped that it will be possible to
release him back to his 'home' in Inverness next year.
The competition helped raised over £200, which will help to support
the otters currently at the rehabilitation centre - at the moment they
have six otters, of various ages in their care (all, it is hoped, will
be released back into the wild).
The monies raised at the auction on Saturday will not only help the
otters here in Scotland, but also those across the world where the
organisation is supporting a number of conservation educational
activities.
For those unable to attend the auction, the list of auction lots is
available on the IOSF website at
http://www.otter.org/CharityAuction.aspx in addition, bids are being
accepted by the charity's office up until mid-day on Friday (23rd).
- ends -
Further information: The cost of care otters receive at the IOSF is funded by the charity,
from donations, sponsorship, sales from their Ottershop, as well as
Otter Watching Days. At the current time, the IOSF are caring for six
otters of various ages – either orphaned, abandoned or injured. Each
otter in care, costs around £1,000 per annum, in terms of food, vet
bills, etc. With young otters the period of care is a long one,
because they stay with their mothers for 12-15 months. The IOSF have
to release them at about the same age - if they are released too early
they will not survive.
A protected species:
The otter is listed on Appendix 1 of CITES, Appendix II of the Bern
Convention and Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. It is
protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
and Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations
(1994), and it is also listed as a Priority Species in the UK
Biodiversity Action Plan. The European sub-species is listed as
globally threatened on the IUCN/VCMC Red Data List.
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) can be designated on the basis of
the presence of otters.
About the IOSF:
The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) is one of the world's
leading otter charities, and was inspired by observing otters in their
natural habitat.
Because the otter lives, feeds and plays on land and in the water and
is at the peak of the food chain it is an ambassador species to a
first class environment. IOSF was set up to protect and help the 13
species of otter worldwide through a combination of compassion and
science.
The IOSF support projects to protect otters, which will also ensure a
healthy environment for all species. To achieve these aims IOSF has
many activities:
+ Otter Hospital - on Skye there is a specialist rehabilitation centre
which cares for injured and orphaned otters from throughout Britain.
+ Education - IOSF runs courses for people interested in otters and
give talks to schools, natural history groups, etc.
+ Research - Otter surveys and work to reduce otter deaths on the road
+ Campaigns - The major campaign (Furget-Me-Not) is to combat the fur
trade in south east Asia, starting in Cambodia.
In the UK IOSF is supporting the call for a ban on the use of snares
in Scotland.
International projects include the Marine Otter in Chile, Spotted
Necked Otter in Kenya, Eurasian Otter in Ireland, Hairy Nosed Otter in
Cambodia.
Otters are part of the Mustelid family of animals which also includes
badgers, pine martens and weasels. There are 13 species of otter
around the world and many of them are endangered. To date the IOSF
have had projects in 30 countries and helped to support cubs in 12
countries, besides their own work in Scotland.
Wildcare Conference 2011, Inverness – 21-22 October:
This year’s conference is being organise by the IOSF – and includes
speakers on the Scottish Beaver project, Raptor Rescue, Bat care and
other topics related to wildlife rehabilitation. The conference is
open to all people working in the rescue, care and rehabilitation of
orphaned and injured wildlife, and delegates will include, vets,
SSPCA, RSPCA, and both large rehab units and one-man operations. For
more information contact the IOSF.
Sponsors of the conference are currently being sought.
The International Otter Survival Fund
7 Black Park, Broadford
Isle of Skye. IV49 9DE
Scotland
Tel: 01471 822 487
www.otter.org
Contacts at IOSF:
Paul Yoxon
Email: paul@otter.org
Grace Yoxon
Email: grace@otter.org
Ottershop:
Helen Birch
Email: helen@otter.org
www.ottershop.co.uk
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