Aktion Fischotterschutz

What Aktion Fischotterschutz does

Aktion Fischotterschutz e.V. is a registered German non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1979 in Hankensbüttel, Lower Saxony. Its stated mission is to protect the acutely threatened Eurasian otter (Fischotter) in Central Europe while treating otter conservation as a proxy for safeguarding the broader habitats on which all species depend — flora, fauna, and human communities alike. The organization operates under an independent, member-governed structure with no parent company and is registered as a private non-profit (e.V.) in Germany.

The organization's product portfolio centers on the OTTER-ZENTRUM, a physical visitor and education facility in Hankensbüttel that combines otter exhibits with hands-on programming: children's diving courses ("Tauchen wie ein Otter" at €34 per child including pool admission, lunch, and equipment), family expeditions (Otter-Bach and Bienen-Welt), dragonfly observation walks, workshops, and the annual Sommerbühne summer stage event. Its digital offering is OTTER SPOTTER, a Europe-wide citizen science platform for reporting otter sightings and tracking distribution. Research and field operations are run through the Ökologische Station Südheide (a co-operated ecological station) and ongoing programs including Fischotter-Monitoring, Marderforschung (marten research), GrünlandVielfalt (grassland biodiversity), and Blau-Grüner Biotopverbund (blue-green habitat corridor). An OTTER-ZENTRUM Onlineshop sells branded merchandise.

Revenue is generated through four channels: donations and recurring membership fees, OTTER-ZENTRUM visitor admissions, fee-based educational programs, and project grants from public bodies including the Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN), the Bundesministerium für Umwelt (BMU), and the Niedersächsische Bingo Umweltstiftung. The go-to-market motion is community-led, anchored by the visitor center, OTTER SPOTTER participation, seasonal events, school programs, and partnerships with regional conservation networks such as Naturpartner Niedersachsen. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Aktion Fischotterschutz

Legal name

Aktion Fischotterschutz e.V.

Website

https://aktion-fischotterschutz.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aktion Fischotterschutz e.V., founded 1979, is a German non-profit operating the OTTER-ZENTRUM visitor center and OTTER SPOTTER citizen science platform in Hankensbüttel, Lower Saxony, to protect the Eurasian otter and connected aquatic ecosystems through conservation, monitoring, and public education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guided Wildlife Safaris & Game Drives (Sanctuary/Reserve-Based) (THAAAFAF), Wildlife Watching & Encounters (Birding, Whale Watching, Primates) (THAJAIAC), Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release Centers (Public Viewing/Education) (THAAAFAC)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Environmental education programs
• Citizen science platform
• Nature visitor center
• Habitat restoration projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Hankensbüttel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: The organization relies on donations from supporters and membership fees as primary funding sources. They promote PayPal donations and direct bank transfers.
2. Visitor Center Admission: Revenue from the OTTER-ZENTRUM visitor center including admission fees and on-site spending
3. Educational Programs: Fee-based programs including diving courses (34€ per child), workshops, and family activities
4. Project Funding: Government and foundation grants for conservation projects, including funding from Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) and Niedersächsische Bingo Umweltstiftung

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Aktion Fischotterschutz e.V. operates the OTTER-ZENTRUM visitor center in Hankensbüttel, combining physical exhibits, paid educational programs, and family nature experiences with the OTTER SPOTTER citizen science platform for otter sighting reports across Europe. It also delivers field research (otter monitoring, marten research), habitat restoration projects, and seasonal events to advance holistic conservation of the Eurasian otter and its ecosystems.

Product overview

Aktion Fischotterschutz e.V. operates as a nonprofit conservation organization offering a unified portfolio centered on the OTTER-ZENTRUM visitor center in Hankensbüttel. The core offering combines conservation research (otter monitoring, marten research, habitat development) with public education and nature experiences. Key products include the OTTER SPOTTER citizen science platform, the Ökologische Station Südheide research station, and various conservation projects like GrünlandVielfalt and Blau-Grüner Biotopverbund. The organization also provides hands-on programs such as diving courses for children, family activities, and seasonal events like the Sommerbühne. An online shop complements the visitor center experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OTTER-ZENTRUM: The visitor and education center operated by Aktion Fischotterschutz e.V. in Hankensbüttel, offering educational programs about otters and nature conservation.
• OTTER SPOTTER
• Ökologische Station Südheide

Products and services

• OTTER-ZENTRUM Hankensbüttel Visitor and education center located at Sudendorfallee 1, 29386 Hankensbüttel, offering otter exhibits, nature experiences, and educational programs to the general public, families, and school groups.
• OTTER SPOTTER (Otter Spotter) Online citizen science platform at otterspotter.de that enables the general public across Europe to report otter sightings and contribute to fish otter distribution tracking.
• Tauchen wie ein Otter (Diving Like an Otter) Paid children's diving course program priced at 34€ per child, including pool admission, OTTER-ZENTRUM admission, lunch, diving pass, and equipment rental. Designed for children learning swimming and snorkeling skills while learning about otter behavior.
• Familienaktionen (Family Activities) Family-friendly events at the OTTER-ZENTRUM including 'Wunderwelt Otter-Bach' and 'Wunderwelt Bienen' expeditions, included with regular admission.
• Libellen-Exkursionen (Dragonfly Excursions) Guided nature walks for observing and identifying dragonfly species along the Ise river, organized through the Ökologische Station Südheide and offered free of charge with registration.
• Sommerbühne OTTER-ZENTRUM Annual summer stage event at the OTTER-ZENTRUM featuring music performances and cultural evenings.
• OTTER-ZENTRUM Onlineshop Online store selling otter-themed merchandise and educational materials, complementing the OTTER-ZENTRUM visitor center experience.
• Ökologische Station Südheide Ecological research and education station conducting field studies and nature excursions in the Südheide region.
• GrünlandVielfalt-Projekt Grassland biodiversity conservation project focused on preserving and developing species-rich grassland habitats in the Südheide region.
• Blau-Grüner Biotopverbund Blue-green habitat corridor project connecting aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the Südheide region.
• Fischotter-Monitoring Ongoing scientific monitoring program of otter populations and distribution patterns across the region.
• Marderforschung Research program studying martens including stone marten, house marten, and vehicle damage caused by martens.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2006Federal Agency for Nature Conservation providing project funding for 'Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung (BNE) – Positionierung des Naturschutzes' project (2006-2008). Jointly organized workshops with the agency.
• Ökologische Station SüdheidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on nature excursions and environmental education, including dragonfly observation walks along the Ise river. Jointly organizes free educational excursions for the public.
• Verband Deutscher Sporttaucher (VDST)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides diving instructor certification and diving badges ('Otter' and 'Robbe' badges) for children's diving courses organized by the OTTER-ZENTRUM.
• Waldbad HankensbüttelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal swimming pool facility cooperating with OTTER-ZENTRUM for children's diving courses. Provides pool access for 'Tauchen wie ein Otter' diving program.
• Restaurant SeeblickminorOthersLocal restaurant providing lunch catering for children's diving course participants at the OTTER-ZENTRUM.
• OTTER-ZENTRUMcoreOthersThe main visitor and education center operated by Aktion Fischotterschutz e.V. in Hankensbüttel, featuring otter exhibits and nature experiences.
• Otter StiftungcoreOthersRelated foundation supporting otter conservation efforts, part of the organization's ecosystem of conservation entities.
• PINK PlanungsbürominorOthersPlanning office partner listed in the organization's network, providing planning services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung: Foundation focused on native German wildlife species and their habitats, running citizen science and educational programs. Comparable scope of single-country wildlife conservation with educational outreach.
• Heinz Sielmann Stiftung: German foundation dedicated to wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and nature education with its own visitor center (Sielmanns Naturlandschaft). Same conservation mission, educational programming, and donor-dependent funding model.
• Landesbund f\u00fcr Vogelschutz in Bayern (LBV): Bavarian bird and nature protection association with visitor centers, educational programs, and conservation projects. Same species-and-habitat-focused German NGO model with membership and donation revenue.
• NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V.): Germany's largest nature and biodiversity conservation association with 900,000+ members, running visitor centers, citizen science projects, and federal policy advocacy. Directly comparable in mission, German non-profit structure, and reliance on memberships and donations.
• BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.V.): Major German environmental NGO combining species conservation, habitat protection, and policy advocacy, funded through memberships and donations. Same non-profit association model and overlapping federal project funding sources as AFS.

Others

• Naturparke Deutschland e.V. Umbrella association of Germany's 100+ nature parks, including Naturpark S\u00fcdheide. Comparable in offering nature-based education and visitor experiences, and a coordinating body that channels funding and visitor flow to member parks.
• Bundesamt f\u00fcr Naturschutz (BfN): Germany's federal nature conservation agency providing project funding and policy framework that AFS operates within. Functions as a funder and partner rather than direct competitor, but is the primary federal counterpart for conservation work.

Broad incumbents

• Tierpark Hagenbeck: Major German zoo operator with otter exhibits, family education programs, and admission-based revenue. Comparable in visitor-center operations, family programming, and educational outreach, though broader in species scope.
• WWF Deutschland: German branch of WWF with broad global species and habitat programs, significant membership base, and major policy influence. Overlaps with AFS in species conservation advocacy but operates at much larger scale and with corporate partnerships.

Regional players

• Naturpark S\u00fcdheide: Regional nature park in Lower Saxony covering a similar geographic area to AFS operations, offering nature-based tourism, education, and guided excursions. Directly comparable as a regional conservation-tourism entity in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aktion-fischotterschutz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aktion Fischotterschutz