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Governmental and private conservation organizations often use flagship species to achieve conservation goals. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) has many physical, behavioral and ecological attributes indicative of a flagship species. For example, the river otter has been popularized through media portrayals as being charismatic, cute, and playful. However, because the river otter is a fish-eating predator, it can sometimes elicit negative attitudes among certain stakeholders involved in commercial rearing of fish or angling, potentially diminishing its positive impact as a flagship species. This presentation will focus on using socio-ecological data as part of the basis for assessing the virtues and liabilities of using the river otter as a flagship species to promote aquatic conservation in the United States.
