The presence of the shy, elusive Eurasian otter has been confirmed, for the primary time, in Goa, providing hope that each one three otter species endemic to India are discovered within the coastal state.
The sighting was made earlier this 12 months, in February and printed within the Journal of Threatened Taxa on August 28. Whereas the smooth-coated otter and the small-clawed otter are each present in Goa, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) had not been recorded earlier than. “After we rescued the otter, we first assumed it to be a {smooth} coated otter, however observed there was one thing completely different about its look,” stated Charan Desai, a wildlife rescuer primarily based in Goa, who noticed the otter. The Eurasian otter will be distinguished by a “W” formed rhinarium (the furless pores and skin surrounding its nostrils).
The otter was discovered injured on the highway within the state’s Dharbandoda space, on the fringe of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. The realm is surrounded by semi-evergreen forest patches, agricultural land, and closed stone quarries. Seasonal streams and rivulets within the space are related to the Ragada river and Zuari river basin. “Habitat sensible, Eurasian otters like streams with rocky patches, and banks with thick vegetation. This is identical as small-clawed otters and subsequently they will exist sympatrically,” defined Katrina Fernandez, co-founder and chief ecologist of Wild Otters, a conservation organisation primarily based in Goa.
Tragically, the otter succumbed to its accidents a day after it was rescued, probably attributable to a collision with a automobile. Otters are threatened by habitat degradation, wetland disappearance, water air pollution, and even battle with people over a standard useful resource – fish. They’re a keystone species whose presence is an indication of indicator of ecosystem well being. “Waste from sewage strains, particularly from motels, is commonly dumped immediately into rivers, which is a significant risk for otters,” stated Desai.
The Eurasian otter is extra elusive and solitary than the opposite two species present in India, making it more durable to identify. It’s sometimes discovered within the Western and Jap Himalayas, just like the small-clawed otter. The graceful coated otter has a wider distribution throughout the nation.
In response to Fernandez, it’s necessary to conduct additional research earlier than declaring the Eurasian otter’s presence in Goa. “I choose to be cautious as a result of otters are identified to be traded as pets, and it’s crucial to ensure they’re there in additional numbers and that this one particular person was not right here due to some exterior components,” she stated, including,” First, it’s necessary to do some extra analysis, discover out the place they’re current, after which use the knowledge for additional safety of the habitats they is likely to be in.”
Banner picture: Consultant picture of a Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) from central India. Picture by Aditya4wiki through Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 4.0].
