Sea Otter Survey

Heritage Expeditions is offering you the chance to be a part of a genuine conservation and research project. We need your help... and so do the Sea Otters of the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka. 
Over the many years that our family company has been involved with conservation agencies in Eastern Russia, we have been overwhelmed by their unfailing support for our expeditions and advocacy in the region. They have helped us to develop a world class natural history experience that we offer to you and to others like you around the world.
We feel it is now time to give something back.
Conservation in Russia, as in most other countries, is underfunded. Problems there are compounded by the vastness of the country and inaccessibility of many of the remote islands; especially those in Eastern Russia. So we are making our expedition ship exclusively available to a team of researchers, who will undertake a detailed survey of the Sea Otters of the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka. And we are inviting you to join the team. This is a chance for you to directly contribute to conservation in a truly unique way.
Beginning in the southern Kuril Islands, the survey will work its way north over 18 days to the wild Kamchatka Peninsula. Led by otter biologist and specialist Katya Ovsyanikova, the team will include world-renowned professionals who will perform a much-needed population census, collect genetic material and carry out surveys of the food resources available to otters.
Your participation will be invaluable, joining the team on Zodiac boats for shore patrols to try and establish exactly how many animals there are; there are also opportunities for divers to join an underwater team to undertake bottom sampling. And when you are not helping Katya’s specialists, there will be opportunities for birding, botanising, photography and hiking – or to simply enjoy the rugged beauty of these remote volcanic islands.
Berths are strictly limited – we recommend you book today. We can accommodate only two divers for the underwater survey; they must be qualified to Padi Rescue standard or its equivalent.