Almost 2.5 years into my PhD and I've only seen otters in person a grand total of (1) time. (excluding camera traps, of course) but they're there! I have proof! 🦦🦦🦦

Me rn 😵‍💫

And last but not least: otter plushies! Meet Eustaquio, the otter 🦦❤️🐾

Also definitely not complaining about all the otter-related gifts, I love each and every one of them and will fight anyone who suggests otherwise 😆❤️🦦

Received this wonderful postcard and little notebook for my birthday! (I have the suspicion they're inspired by the Otter print, but wouldn't know how to verify that lol)

And it doesn't stop there: otter placemats, and a book on otters in the Netherlands. Did you know the otter actually became extinct in NL for a while? Successful reintroduction programs have resulted in a now healthy and stable otter population! 🦦

Another wonderful addition to my ever-growing collection of otter memorabilia: otter socks! 🦦🧦

Anyone else reach that point in your PhD where everyone else assumes it's become your entire personality and keeps giving you things related to your field of study? I sure have 😂

First off, I'm now the proud owner of a 100+ yo otter print ❤️🦦

Since I'm new to Bluesky, perhaps a short intro is in order:

I'm Sam, a conservation biologist looking at the cutest little animal ever (may be a little biased there, sorry not sorry) - the European Otter! 🦦

Working on my PhD for the non-invasive genetics of the otter here in Ireland 🇮🇪🧬🐾

Every otter pun I can make during a presentation, I WILL make!

Presented my research at the All Irelamd Mammal Symposium (AIMS) in ATU Galway a little while back!