Otter-Zentrum
Sep. 1st, 2019 06:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ashetlandpony1 September 1989
The V. International Otter Colloquium was sponsored by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission's Otter Specialist Group, and hosted by the German conservation organization "Aktion Fischotterschutz" ("Campaign for Otter Protection"), founded in May, 1979, by forestry biologist Claus Reuther. In 1988, the group established its headquarters and research facilities – the "Otter-Zentrum" ("Otter Centre") – at a former corporate retreat on Lake Isenhagen in Hankensbüttel, Lower Saxony. The V. IOC was the first major scientific gathering held at the organization's new home.
Tragically, the Otter Centre was destroyed by fire in December, 1993, so these are rare photos of the original buildings. (It has since been rebuilt, but completely anew.) At first, I intended posting only a few of my pictures here, but after thinking about it, I decided to share them all, as some may be the only surviving images of these spaces and objects that no longer exist.
I had been a dues-paying member of Aktion Fischotterschutz for a couple of years by this time, and had seen some small photos of the Otter-Zentrum in their newsletter, but nothing prepared me for what I was about to witness when we arrived at the place in person.
"This is heaven!," I exclaimed out loud. Basically this was a theme park devoted almost exclusively to the conservation of otters and the education of the public about their plight: something that had been a passion of mine for the entire past decade. To see this huge building and acres of surrounding grounds all dedicated to this purpose was nothing less than breathtaking to me. It was truly a revelatory experience.
Views from the parking lot. Flags flew for each country represented at the otter colloquium.
Main entrance.
I was like the proverbial kid in a candy store in the "Otter-Shop." By the time my visit was over, I'd spent at least $200 there in otter-themed books and merchandise.
Inside the front lobby.
The Otter-Zentrum had a full-service cafeteria and dining room, all bedecked with splendid otter art, sculptures, statues and posters.
This bronze otter was truly magnificent. I experienced extreme covetousness gazing at this majestic beauty!
More art on display in and around the dining area.
This standing otter sculpture had a slot in his chest for donations!
And why would I take a photo of the "Damen und Herren"? For the artwork on the wall and doors, of course! Unfortunately the latter were obliterated by my camera's flash, but they were cute anthropomorphic drawings of a German-clothed Dame und Herr Otter.
I was particularly smitten by this splendid fellow, who appears to be a mascot design for the Olympic Games ("O.S" standing for "Olympische Spiele." I confess, when I heard about the Otter-Zentrum burning down, the first things I thought about that must have been destroyed in the fire were the bronze otter above and this fanciful drawing.
This was, I think, intended ultimately to be a diorama of the Otters of the World, but at this point, it only depicted Europe's Lutra lutra.
Upstairs, outside the entrance to the lecture hall, were many interpretive displays. I'm surprised I didn't take a close-up photo of "Systematik," since otter taxonomy and phylogeny were academic specialties of mine.
Colloquium attendees jawboning in the conference room.
View of the Isenhagener See from the balcony of the Otter-Zentrum. It really was a lovely setting.
I have even more photos of the original Otter-Zentrum, but I will present them in later posts in this series.
After checking in at the Colloquium office, picking up my registration packet, and meeting more fellow attendees, I finally got taken to my accommodations for the week: Pension Eichenhof in nearby Räderloh. I'll be devoting a whole post to that wonderful place after I finish with the Colloquium. First things first. :-)
The V. International Otter Colloquium was sponsored by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission's Otter Specialist Group, and hosted by the German conservation organization "Aktion Fischotterschutz" ("Campaign for Otter Protection"), founded in May, 1979, by forestry biologist Claus Reuther. In 1988, the group established its headquarters and research facilities – the "Otter-Zentrum" ("Otter Centre") – at a former corporate retreat on Lake Isenhagen in Hankensbüttel, Lower Saxony. The V. IOC was the first major scientific gathering held at the organization's new home.
Tragically, the Otter Centre was destroyed by fire in December, 1993, so these are rare photos of the original buildings. (It has since been rebuilt, but completely anew.) At first, I intended posting only a few of my pictures here, but after thinking about it, I decided to share them all, as some may be the only surviving images of these spaces and objects that no longer exist.
I had been a dues-paying member of Aktion Fischotterschutz for a couple of years by this time, and had seen some small photos of the Otter-Zentrum in their newsletter, but nothing prepared me for what I was about to witness when we arrived at the place in person.
"This is heaven!," I exclaimed out loud. Basically this was a theme park devoted almost exclusively to the conservation of otters and the education of the public about their plight: something that had been a passion of mine for the entire past decade. To see this huge building and acres of surrounding grounds all dedicated to this purpose was nothing less than breathtaking to me. It was truly a revelatory experience.
Views from the parking lot. Flags flew for each country represented at the otter colloquium.
Main entrance.
I was like the proverbial kid in a candy store in the "Otter-Shop." By the time my visit was over, I'd spent at least $200 there in otter-themed books and merchandise.
Inside the front lobby.
The Otter-Zentrum had a full-service cafeteria and dining room, all bedecked with splendid otter art, sculptures, statues and posters.
This bronze otter was truly magnificent. I experienced extreme covetousness gazing at this majestic beauty!
More art on display in and around the dining area.
This standing otter sculpture had a slot in his chest for donations!
And why would I take a photo of the "Damen und Herren"? For the artwork on the wall and doors, of course! Unfortunately the latter were obliterated by my camera's flash, but they were cute anthropomorphic drawings of a German-clothed Dame und Herr Otter.
I was particularly smitten by this splendid fellow, who appears to be a mascot design for the Olympic Games ("O.S" standing for "Olympische Spiele." I confess, when I heard about the Otter-Zentrum burning down, the first things I thought about that must have been destroyed in the fire were the bronze otter above and this fanciful drawing.
This was, I think, intended ultimately to be a diorama of the Otters of the World, but at this point, it only depicted Europe's Lutra lutra.
Upstairs, outside the entrance to the lecture hall, were many interpretive displays. I'm surprised I didn't take a close-up photo of "Systematik," since otter taxonomy and phylogeny were academic specialties of mine.
Colloquium attendees jawboning in the conference room.
View of the Isenhagener See from the balcony of the Otter-Zentrum. It really was a lovely setting.
I have even more photos of the original Otter-Zentrum, but I will present them in later posts in this series.
After checking in at the Colloquium office, picking up my registration packet, and meeting more fellow attendees, I finally got taken to my accommodations for the week: Pension Eichenhof in nearby Räderloh. I'll be devoting a whole post to that wonderful place after I finish with the Colloquium. First things first. :-)
