IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 41 Issue 1 (March 2024)
Abstracts
Confirmation of the Presence of Asian Small-Clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus in
Nepal After 185 Years
Pages 3 - 8 (Short Note)
Mohan Bikram Shrestha, Ganga Shrestha, Hiru Lal Dangaura, Rajeev Chaudhary, Purna Man Shrestha,
Karun Dewan, Rajesh Sada, Melissa Savage, and Zuofu Xiang
The Asian Small-clawed Otter has not been observed in Nepal since 1839. Because of a lack of evidence of the species over
such a prolonged period, it has been sometimes suggested that it is extinct in the country. Here, we present the first
photographic evidence of Asian Small-clawed Otter in Nepal in 185 years. In November 2024, a juvenile Asian Small-clawed Otter
was captured at the confluence of Rangun Khola and Puntara Khola of Dadeldhura District in far-western Nepal, was nurtured in
the Forest Office for a week before released to the wild. The presence of a juvenile otter implies the presence of other
otter individuals in the area. This rare observation is a significant confirmation of the species presence in Nepal
and warrants detailed study and conservation initiatives to conserve the species.
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Photographic Record of Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) from Namdapha
Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Pages 9 - 13 (Observation)
Yumlam Benjamin Bida and Manoj Rai
Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) are classified as near threatened by the IUCN and listed under Appendix I of CITES. Despite their widespread distribution across India, documentation remains sparse. In Arunachal Pradesh, all three otter species - Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), and Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) - are present, but information on their distribution is limited. Notably, Eurasian otter sightings in Arunachal Pradesh have primarily been from western regions. This study presents the first photographic evidence of a Eurasian otter in the eastern region of Arunachal Pradesh's Namdapha Tiger Reserve.
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Occurrence, Food Resources and Food Preference of Spotted-Necked Otters (Hydrictis maculicollis) in the Coastal Area of Ondo State, Nigeria
Pages 14 - 26 (Report)
Oluyinka Sunday Odewumi and Idowu Emmanuel Eniomoduni
The study examined the occurrence and food preference of Spotted-necked otters (Hydrictis maculicollis) in the riverine area of Ondo state, Nigeria. Focus group discussion (FGD), field observation and laboratory analysis were adopted for data collection. Data obtained were analysed through descriptive (tables, charts) analysis. The results revealed that Spotted-necked otters are present in eight (8) major rivers (Alape, Oluwa, Ufara, Oriopo, Okukaluju, Korogbene, Opuotu and Ita-Oluwa) within Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas of Ondo State. The respondents stated that preferred habitat of spotted-necked Otter is freshwater rivers and streams as well as the shallow area of water bodies with no or low current, undisturbed/calm water, areas of fish abundance and areas with vegetation cover. Seven food items (fish, crab, water snail, snake, small mammals, insects and palm cannel) were identified as being consumed by Spotted-necked otters in the study area. The most preferred food item of Spotted-necked otters are various fish species. It was reported that Spotted-necked otter does not feed on Bullhead catfish. Fecal analysis result revealed fish in the highest proportion of 67.19% followed by crabs with a percentage of 18.86 while rodentss/small mammal had the lowest percentage of 0.42%. A total of nine fish species were identified from the fecal analysis of Spotted-necked otters: three species of Cichlidae, two species of Clariidae, and one species each of Anguillidae, Claroteidae, Gymnarchidae and Osteoglossidae. The presence of Spotted-necked otters was affirmed during field survey and FGD and they were reported to consume seven food items but mainly feed on fish species. It is recommended that efforts should be put in place to reduce the otter-fishermen conflict that may result from fish preference by otters in the area. Since vegetation cover is one of the factors determining habitat preference of Spotted-necked otter, the rate of vegetation removal should be reduced.
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Habitat Factors influencing the Distribution of Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in
Major Rivers of the Myagdi District, Nepal
Pages 27 - 36 (Report)
Pravin Giri, Sara Pariyar, and Purna Man Shrestha
Increasing pressure on aquatic ecosystems in the Himalayan region has raised alarming concerns for the conservation of Eurasian otters. However, limited knowledge of their abundance, distribution, and ecology has precluded their evidence-based conservation in Nepal. In this study, we examined the habitat variables associated with the distribution of Eurasian otters in the Kali Gandaki watershed area in the Myagdi District of Nepal. A sign survey was conducted in three river channels to document the distribution of the species. In total 87 transects, each 100m in length, were surveyed and spraints detected outside of the transect were also recorded. A predictive model was developed using a logistic regression model to identify factors affecting sign encounter probability. A total of 45 spraints were detected from three rivers (Mygdi River =41, Kali Gandaki River=2, and Rahuganga River=2) and the estimated spraint density was 0.51sign/km. Elevation, escape cover distance, small and large stones were the significant variables all negatively associated with the probability of detection of spraint in the logistic regression model. Our results suggest that the population of Eurasian otters in the area is relatively low and heavily threatened by human activities. Hence, we suggest an immediate population survey aided with camera traps or genetic analysis and tailored conservation activities around the Kali Gandaki River for the species’ long-term survival.
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Otters and Tides: A Habitat Study of Smooth-Coated Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata)
in the Vellar Estuary,
Tamil Nadu, India
Pages 37 - 51 (Article)
Udhayakumar Utthamapandian, Dipani Sutaria, Pichaiyan Francis, Rathinasamy Arulmohan, Palanivel Parthasarathy,
Augustinraj Alexkirubakaran, Venkateswaran Dhithya, and Ayyappan Saravanakumar
Coastal ecosystems, particularly mudflats and estuaries, harbor diverse essential components that result in high productivity. Despite their ecological significance, these regions remain understudied compared to the adjacent seas and oceans. The smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata), an apex predator yet vulnerable species, found across Asian, including Indian inland water bodies, faces population decline due to urbanization, infrastructure development, and hunting. The absence of comprehensive, even baseline studies and long-term monitoring program exacerbates the condition to study otters in India, which is essential to implement and govern conservation strategies. Limited existing research on the species impedes an inclusive understanding of relevant ecological factors. Our observations establish a benchmark directory on ecological datasets of smooth-coated otters in the Vellar estuarine complex. The research details preferred habitats and seasonal patterns, influenced by freshwater availability and tidal dynamics. The distribution of otters within the study area is influenced by substrate, with silty substrates downstream and sandy substrates upstream playing a crucial role. Human activities in the region have largely maintained a harmonious coexistence with otters.
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