World Otter Day 2026
Junior Conservation Hero Challenge
Help Us Protect South Africa's Otters!
Hey Kids! At Owl Rescue Centre, we believe that the best way to protect our wildlife is to understand them. This World Otter Day, we are looking for a new generation of researchers and storytellers to help us protect South Africa's otters. Are you ready to join?
To earn your Junior Conservationist Certificate, complete one of the challenges below.
In addition to the Certificate, the Junior Hero with the most outstanding submission will receive a Special Otter Hamper. We've curated this kit with some of our favourite otter-themed treasures.
Challenge A: The "Otter Spotter" Junior Researcher Challenge
Practice citizen science by visiting a local river, dam, or coastline with your parents. You don't need to spot an actual otter (they can be quite elusive!); instead, find and photograph three signs of a healthy otter habitat.
Upload your habitat report along with a drawing of the otter you hope to find living there.
Challenge B: The Otter Stewardship Challenge
Every great explorer needs to know the story of the animal they are protecting. To take part in this challenge, you must first read (or listen to) Wild Adventures with Lazzy the Otter to follow his journey back to the wild.
Write a personal letter to Lazzy! Tell him your favourite part of his adventure and, most importantly, make a promise of one thing you will do to keep our rivers and environment safe for otters, like picking up litter.
Upload a photo of your handwritten letter.
While every child who enters will receive a certificate, we are also giving a Special Otter Ambassador Award to the one 'Conservation Influencer' who goes above and beyond to spread awareness.
Our 2026 Junior Otter Ambassador will be invited, along with their parents, to join us for a special evening at our Owl Sky Lounge. It's a chance to relax under the stars, share stories of the wild, and celebrate your hard work with our team.
Being an Ambassador means being a voice for a species that cannot speak for itself. The winner of this award will be the Junior Hero who creates the biggest 'ripple effect' for conservation.
You can achieve this by inspiring your community to get involved: get your friends to join the Junior Otter Hero Challenge, share your own journey (your habitat scouts or letter) on social media to show the world why otters matter, and tag us so we can see the impact you're making.
We aren't just looking for a participant, we're looking for a leader.
Submissions close: 25 May 2026
Winners announced: 27 May 2026
Book Donation
Every child deserves to know the magic of the wild.
If you work at or represent an underpriviledged school or a community library that would love to participate in the challenge but needs books to get started, please let us know.
We are setting aside a number of copies that were sponsored by Toyota SA, to donate to libraries to ensure these children have the resources to become the next generation of conservationists.
R280
Return to the Wild
Return to the Wild is an inspirational story of a rescued otter who was raised in captivity and a family’s dedication to setting him free. His release is met with many challenges and when it is discovered that Lazarus, a Cape Clawless Otter is afraid of water they must find a way to help him overcome this.
R 196
Wild Adventures
Rebecca has grown up with animals her entire life. Her parents are wildlife conservationists and since she can remember, different wild animals have filled their home. This time, she gets to help one of her all-time favourite animals, a Cape clawless otter named Lazzy, to return to the wild. This means swimming with him in the river, teaching him to fish and helping him to learn survival skills that he would need out in the wild. But Lazzy is afraid of water and Rebecca has her own fears to face; she must bravely perform a solo dance in an upcoming competition. Her bond with Lazzy teaches her courage and inspires her to follow her dreams.
