Smooth-Coated Otter Spotted for the First Time in Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary

In a significant wildlife discovery, researchers working in India's Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary have captured the first-ever photographic evidence of the smooth-coated otter, a vulnerable species, in the region. The team, which had set up trail cameras to study the tiger population in the sanctuary, was surprised to spot not just one, but multiple smooth-coated otters on the footage.

The smooth-coated otter, scientifically known as Lutrogale perspicillata, is found across several Asian countries, including India, China, and Pakistan. However, it had never been recorded in the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary before, despite the area having suitable otter habitat. The researchers, in collaboration with the Zoo Outreach Organization and the Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society, have now published their findings in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, highlighting the significance of this discovery.

The study urges the sanctuary authorities to take immediate steps to protect the smooth-coated otter's habitat and food sources, such as maintaining the fish population and reducing soil erosion. This vulnerable species is facing threats from human activities like habitat destruction, pollution, and hunting, and the newly discovered population in Nandhaur will require careful conservation efforts to ensure its long-term survival.