IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 39 Issue 4 (November 2022)
Abstracts
Photographic Evidence of Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal
Pages 189 - 195 (Article)
Rama Mishra, Babu Ram Lamichhane, Birendra Gautam, Ashok Kumar Ram, And Naresh Subed
Smooth-coated otter Lutrogale perspicillata is one of the three otter species occur in Nepal. They were believed to be extirpated from central and eastern Nepal. Camera traps set to study fishing cats in the buffer zone area of Koshi Tappu Wildife Reserve recorded smooth-coated otters, confirming their presence in the protected area. Single individuals of smooth-coated otter were recorded at two locations in three detections. The recorded locations lie at the elevated edge of Typha elephantina dominated swamps, created from the Koshi River seepage near the Koshi embankment. Regular monitoring and conservation efforts for the smooth-coated otter are needed to ensure their survival in Koshi.
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Smooth-Coated Otter Distribution and Report on Illegal Otter Trafficking in Valsad, India
Pages 196 - 201 (Short Communication)
Krunal Trivedi, and Aadit Patel
In India, three species of otter are found, but only the Smooth-coated otter Lutrogale perspicillata has been reported in Gujarat. Current distribution of this species is limited to Surat, Bharuch, Narmada, and Vadodara District. Hereby, we present distribution of smooth-coated otter in Valsad District. Direct sighting, and indirect sign surveys were the methods used for this study. This might be the southernmost distribution of this species in Gujarat. We also report seizure of sub-adult female otter from illegal trafficking in Valsad. There is a need for further extensive research on the status, distribution, and habitat-use pattern of otters in South Gujarat.
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Assessing Human Dimension in Conservation of Smooth-Coated Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) in Nuanai River, Puri, Odisha, India
Pages 202 - 222 (Article)
Shreya Pandey, Bhavisha Haresh Kotak, Aurobindo Samal, Rudra Prasanna Mahapatra, Swarup Fullonton, and Kalinga Keshari Jena
Mammals that use inland and coastal waters interact with people regularly, as they share similar habitats and resources. The Smooth-Coated Otter is an apex predator in the aquatic ecosystem that frequently interacts with local communities. When Cyclone FANI hit Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary, which is close to the Eco-sensitive Nuanai area, in May 2019, this was one of the victim species witnessing a catastrophic population loss in Puri, Odisha. This is Odisha’s first community-based conservation project. We conducted a semi-structured interview to examine people's perceptions and attitudes regarding the species, as well as to document the population’s dangers. There was a huge threat to the species, but people are more aware now as a result of our research, and there are fewer threats.
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A Rare Record of an Albino Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra in Central Iraq
Pages 223 - 228 (Short Communication)
Omar F. Al-Sheikhly, Nadheer A. Fazaa, Jasim A. Hammadi, Mukhtar K. Habba, Najla M. Hammod, and Laith A. Al-Obeidi
Colour aberrations such as albinism and leucism are congenital and heritable disorders in the synthesis of melanin pigmentation, and rarely observed in otters’ wild populations. In June 2022, a rare albino young Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) was trapped in the Tigris River in Central Iraq and transported by the Iraqi environmental authorities to be raised in captivity at Baghdad Zoo. Here, we report a first case of albinism of the species in the wild population in Iraq.
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First Record of Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) from Chhattisgarh, Central India
Pages 223 - 228 (Short Communication)
Mat Suraj, Moiz Ahmed, Krishnendu Basak, Jitendra Sarathi, Priyanka Pandey, and Ashish Khelwar
The Eurasian otter Lutra lutra is one of the three species of otters found in Indian rivers. Ten different studies reported its presence with photographic evidences and captured individuals from seven different states in India. These studies reflect the distribution of Eurasian otters from North, Northwestern and Northeastern Himalayas, Eastern coastal India, southern Western Ghats to Satpura-Maikal range of Central India, all located at separate location on the subcontinent. We report the presence of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) first time with photographic confirmation from Chhattisgarh, 200 km away from the nearest known location in Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, and confirms a geographical range extension of the Eurasian otter in Central India. New records suggest that the species may yet be present in other locations across India. The Eurasian otter is in urgent need of intensive study in their distribution range in order to elevate their protection by scientific and management authorities.
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First Photographic Record of Smooth - Coated Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) from Saurashtra, Gujarat, India
Pages 236 - 240 (Sighting)
Rushi Pathak, Aurobindo Samal, Pravin Vegad, Vishal Zapadiya, Firozkhan Mohbatkhan- Bloch, and Bhagvanbhai Monpariya
Of the three species of otters found in India, the Smooth-coated otter is the only otter species found in the state of Gujarat. The authors photographed a Smooth-coated otter during field surveys by our team near the city of Bhavnagar in Saurashtra, a peninsular region of Gujarat on the western coast of India. After an extensive search of the area, the team also found tracks of a Smooth-coated otter. This photographic evidence is the first report of Smooth-coated otters in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
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First Report of Direct Human – Smooth Coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) Conflict at Odisha, India
Pages 241 - 245 (Short Communication)
Aurobindo Samal, Jyoti Shankar Sahu, Niladri Bhushan Kar, Barnava Pattnaik, Manoj Mohapatra, and Ramaswamy Pitchai
Human – otter direct conflict is rarely reported and do not often reach the news. Otters are carnivores and both an aquatic and a terrestrial mammal. Most of their conflicts with humans are because they take fish from fishing gear, and damage the nets of fishermen, which is their only livelihood. This paper reports the first direct conflict of otters with humans, causing injury to three people from one family in the state of Odisha, India. This report also indirectly shows feral dog – wildlife conflicts.
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