IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 40 Issue 2 (April 2023)
Abstracts
Interactions between Fishermen and Smooth-Coated Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) in the Tapti river of Surat District: A Case Study on Conflict Mitigation
Pages 64 - 71 (Report)
Krunal Trivedi and Mayur Variya
The Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is a vulnerable mammal found in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The Tapti River, flowing within Gujarat, is home to many fishes, reptiles, birds, and thousands of other creatures. Smooth-coated Otters living in the Tapti River is threatened by a number of factors, including conflict with fishermen. As fishering communities depend on the Tapti River for their livelihood, this has led to trapping, poisoning, and hunting of otters as they have been causing economic loss by preying on fish catches and damaging the nets. To understand the nature and extent of this negative interaction, and the impact that it has on local fishermen, Nature Club Surat, Wildlife Trust of India and Gujarat Forest Department conducted interviews and surveys. As a part of the pilot project started by NCS and WTI to create a compensation policy, fishermen were reimbursed for their economical loss. Sensitization programs for otters among the fishering community, and compensating their losses caused by otter, is having a positive effecton the conservation of the species.
Contents | Full
Text + Links | PDF (1.2 MB)
The Otter in an Arid Zone - Lake Jorf Torba, Southwest Algeria: Ecology, Diet and Behaviour
Pages 72 - 79 (Report)
Lamia Salima Seddiki, Fayçal Seddiki, Torki Kamel, Amar Seddiki, and Salim Seddiki
Global warming, anthropological activities, water pollution, integration of non-indigenous species, these factors profoundly influence the biodiversity of Lake Jorf Toba in southwestern Algeria. The environment is becoming more arid, with long heat waves and less precipitation. The conservation of endangered arid zone species is a big challenge, especially if we are talking about a semi-aquatic animal like the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). The study aims to evaluate the situation of otters in arid environments such as Lake Jorf Torba. Our data showed the existence of Lutra lutra in the lake, which is an index of food and shelter availability. The major otter forage was Barbus antinorii, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cyprinus carpio, and some arthropods. The otter preferred a rocky shelter to protect itself from the wind, cold and high temperatures. Our observation confirms that the Lutra lutra has always existed in the lake, but during our tracking, we noticed the mortality of two otters. Otters in lake Jorf Torba are a small population, which needs to be protected, and a serious conservation approach should be adopted.
Contents | Full
Text + Links | PDF (987 KB)
Reported Worldwide Otter Attacks on Humans over the Last Decade (2011-2021): Dictated by Human Encroachment or Otter Behavior?
Pages 80 - 89 (Review)
Jane Morgan, Michael Belanger, and Carin Wittnich
Otter species populations are negatively impacted by human encroachment. This can result in habitat loss as well as close encounters with humans, which are often perceived by otters as a threat. Whether this results in otters attacking humans was confirmed in a historic review of worldwide reported incidences up to 2010. However, whether these incidences have escalated since then is unknown and lead to this current review (2011-2021). Otter attacks on humans were recorded geographically and chronologically in both wild and captive environments. The goal was to identify frequency and severity of these attacks and document human activities that may have triggered them. Over this 10-year period, this review identified 20 reports, 3 of which were in captive environments. Similar to the previous findings, the majority of attacks continue to be reported from North America, and more specifically the USA. Water related activities by humans were identified in 53% of such attacks, not surprising as this is the environment where otters primarily reside and hunt. Of the humans attacked, 59% were preventatively treated, of which, only two cases reported suspected rabid otters. Clearly there continues to be issues related to human encroachment on otter habitat that warrants continued monitoring and attention.
Contents | Full
Text + Links | PDF (365 KB)
A Rare Sighting of Smooth-Coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in the Mahanadi River, Odisha, India
Pages 90 - 95 (Sighting)
Laxmi Prasad Rath, Khan Ashaharraza, and Suraj Kumar Dash
Otter species populations are negatively impacted by human encroachment. This can result in habitat loss as well as close encounters with humans, which are often perceived by otters as a threat. Whether this results in otters attacking humans was confirmed in a historic review of worldwide reported incidences up to 2010. However, whether these incidences have escalated since then is unknown and lead to this current review (2011-2021). Otter attacks on humans were recorded geographically and chronologically in both wild and captive environments. The goal was to identify frequency and severity of these attacks and document human activities that may have triggered them. Over this 10-year period, this review identified 20 reports, 3 of which were in captive environments. Similar to the previous findings, the majority of attacks continue to be reported from North America, and more specifically the USA. Water related activities by humans were identified in 53% of such attacks, not surprising as this is the environment where otters primarily reside and hunt. Of the humans attacked, 59% were preventatively treated, of which, only two cases reported suspected rabid otters. Clearly there continues to be issues related to human encroachment on otter habitat that warrants continued monitoring and attention.
Contents | Full
Text + Links | PDF (677 KB)
An Ecological Study of the Prey of Otter in an Asynchronous Paddy Field Landscape
Pages 96 - 108 (Article)
Ferdi Andeska, Wilson Novarino, Jabang Nurdin, and Aadrean
Otters are the top predators in wetlands. Otters have an essential ecological role in preserving the species richness of their food web. The availability of prey species in the habitat influences otter prey selection. Because of the cultivation stage, paddy fields in the tropical area have a distinct temporal seasonality. Consequently, information on the prey species of otter temporarily availability in Paddy field settings is essential for developing wildlife-friendly agricultural techniques. From January to April 2020, researchers studied the ecology of otters’ prey in rice fields in West Sumatra. We examined the ecological indexes of otters’ prey and whether cultivation stages influence the availability of otters' prey. Fish, snails, frogs, and water insects were the prey species studied in four cultivation stages. Ecological indices such as diversity index (H"), evenness index (E), and species richness index (R) are used to compare the findings of each type of otter prey. The ecological index values of the prey animals obtained by otters varied quite a lot depending on the type of prey and the growing season. The abundance of snails, the number of snails, the abundance of fish and the abundance of Oreochromis nilloticus were significantly different across cultivation stages (P<0.05) according to the results of the ANOVA test. The asynchronous paddy field system is suitable for providing otters with abundant prey all year round. Therefore it will be used to create an otter-friendly rice field landscape.
Contents | Full
Text + Links | PDF (391 KB)
Anatomical Study of the Conus Medullaris in the Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis)
Pages 109 - 115 (Article)
Procassia M.L. Barbosa, Pricila S. Esteves, and Oldemar de Oliveira Carvalho-Junior
The morphology and physiology of the Lontra longicaudis is not well understood, making it sometimes difficult to understand its anatomy or behavior. A descriptive anatomical study of the spinal cord of neotropical river otters is presented. It was conducted at the Wild Animal Research Laboratory at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Three female otters were used, two cubs and one adult, from the Instituto Ekko Brasil (IEB) — Otter Project. To analyze the spinal cord and its components, measurements of body length and epiaxial musculature and vertebral arches were registered from the cervicothoracic transition to the base of the tail. The conus medullaris reached the fourth lumbar vertebra. In one animal, it reached the fifth lumbar vertebra. At the level of the sixth lumbar vertebra, no spinal cord segments were observed. In neotropical river otters, the space between the sacrum and the first caudal (sacrococcygeal) vertebra can be used for epidural anesthesia injection. Practitioners should consider this description when considering injection sides for epidural anesthesia.
Contents | Full Text + Links | PDF (599 KB)