Pollution and global warming are huge threats to the Otters. In this formation they undulated wildly through the creek, causing panic‑stricken fish to jump out of the water a few metres ahead. They sometimes hunt in groups of up to eleven individuals. They are usually found in clean rivers, lakes and coastlines of Europe, parts of Asia and along the Pacific coast. In the Kuala Selangor Nature Park an otter group was observed hunting. Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell describes how the author brought a smooth-coated otter from Iraq to Scotland. A single adult consumes about 1 kg of food per day in captivity. Vietnam are where two endangered river otters are living: the Asian small-clawed otter and Smooth- coated otter; Otterly social creatures. The species is found from southern Pakistan (Sindh Province) and parts of the India east to Southeast Asia, and there is a disjunct population in Iraq. Global Threats With a general decreasing population size, smooth-coated otters have been listed as vulnerable (VU) on IUCN's Red List. Even though there is no global population estimate of the Smooth-coated Otters due to a lack of quantitative data on population sizes, based on a study in 2013 on generation length of mammals (Pacifici et al., 2013), it was inferred that their global population has declined over 30% in the past 30 years. Some of them are created by natural events but most of them are the result of carelessness by humans about what is entered into the water. Along the Chambal Riverin India, smooth-coated otters are most vuln… They reach adult size at about a year of age, and sexual maturity at two or three years. The mothers give birth to and raise their young in a burrow near water. Another step in the right direction! There is one species of Otter on the low risk list which is the Oriental Small Clawed Otter. Smooth-coated otters are protected in India under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and are listed as endangered. If you're a fisherman in India, Bangladesh, or Pakistan, an otter might be part of your fishing routine! Otters are indiscriminately killed especially at aquaculturesites. See the creative common license terms by clicking "CC" icon below the map. The smooth-coated otter is threatened by poaching, loss and destruction of wetlands, as these are converted for settlements, agriculture and hydroelectric projects; water courses are being polluted by pesticides such as chlorinated hydrocarbons and organophosphates. Don’t buy anything that is made from the pelts or fur of Otters either. These factors lead … This fishing technique is currently used by about 300 fishermen, with an additional 2,000 people indirectly dependent on the technique for their livelihood. They include the Southern River Otter, Hairy Nosed Otter, Giant Otter, and the India Smooth Coated Otter. The data is not necessarily accurate nor complete. Smooth-coated otters are protected in India under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and are listed as endangered. License: 12/02497, license issued for GibbonWoot (managing company), Khao Phra - Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary, Erawan Falls, Cave & Historical Sites | from Kanchanaburi, Erawan Falls, Hellfire Pass & Historical Sites | from Kanchanaburi, 2-days/1-night private tour | Khao Sok Lake, 3-days/2-nights private tour | Khao Sok Lake, 4-days/3-nights wildlife tour | Khao Sok Lake, 1-day wildlife tour with night safari in Khao Yai, 2D1N | Sai Yok National Park, Erawan Falls, Raft House, Cave & Historical Sites, 2D1N | Sai Yok National Park, Erawan Falls & camping in jungle, Day tour - Huai Mae Khamin Falls, Phra Tat Cave & The Bridge over River Kwai, Erawan Falls - Hellfire Pass taxi service, Bangkok - Kaeng Krachan National Park taxi service, Hua Hin - Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park taxi service, Bangkok - Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park taxi service, Taxi to Khao Sok from Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani & Ko Lanta, Taxi from Hua Hin to Kui Buri elephant watching area, Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike Licence 3.0, L. p. perspicillata – most of India, Nepal, southwestern Yunnan, most of Southeast Asia, Sumatra, Java. In south east Asian countries, there does not seem to be any intentional otter trapping though it is prevalent in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Special thanks to Ton Smits, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Ian Dugdale and many others for their contribution for range data. An isolated population of the species is also found in the marshes of Iraq. Binomial name: Lutrogale perspicillata, Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1826. Major threats to Asian otter population are loss of wetland habitats due to construction of large-scale hydroelectric projects, reclamation of wetlands for settlements and agriculture, reduction in prey biomass, poaching and contamination of waterways by pesticides. They are mainly diurnal. Smooth-coated otters are found in areas where fresh water is plentiful — wetlands and seasonal swamps, rivers, lakes, and rice paddies. But most range countries are not able to control the clandestine trade leading to extensive poaching. Peninsular India might be their last wild stronghold. So far these types of efforts have been successful but only time will tell if that is true for the long term as well. How about a trained otter? Currently there are some minor/major restrictions to enter certain protected sites in Thailand due to ongoing covid-19 situation. Another endangered sea otter species is known as northern river otter which is also known as common otter. The more elusive oriental small-clawed otters are found at Tekong and Pulau Semaku, and tend to be nocturnal. Although they are often found in saltwater near the coast, especially on smaller islands, they require a nearby source of fresh water. In some parts of the world the Otter is protected so it is illegal to injure or kill them. These otters are bred in captivity, trained, and used to chase fish into fishing nets. You can do your part to help protect Otters that are endangered. With an increase in the number and scale of hydroelectric projects and a rise in wetland reclamation, habitat destruction is a m… Feeds on fish, crab. For example oil spills that have occurred have destroyed habitats and killed large numbers of Otters. Most range countries are not able to control the clandestine trade leading to extensive poaching. Smooth-coated otters are found in areas where freshwater is plentiful, preferring shallow and placid waters— wetlands and seasonal swamps, rivers, lakes, and rice paddies. The dormant males, staying away from the groups, would have bitten the bathers. These otters are bred in captivity, trained, and used to chase fish into fishing nets. For the location, please provide the district name or the national park/ wildlife sanctuary name. This is largely due to anthropogenic reasons. They won’t be able to maintain the body temperature necessary for survival. The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is a species of otter, the only extant representative of the genus Lutrogale. CITES is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals, and as of yesterday, in a meeting in Geneva, over 100 countries have voted to ban the trade in the smooth-coated otters and officially placing the otters onto the CITES most endangered … With all three river otters species native to Cambodia listed as Vulnerable or Endangered on the IUCN Red List, numbers continue to drop due habitat loss and hunting. They live in family groups in the wild. By being aware of his and not contributing to such problems you will help them to have a better home to live in. Smooth-coated otters are used for commercial fishing in southern Bangladesh. Conservation Status Survey of Smooth-coated Otters in the Krishna River Delta The project aims at establishing the distribution of natural populations of smooth coated otter family in the project site along with assessment of various anthropogenic threats. However, such problems still continue because those laws often aren’t strictly enforced. They are semi-aquatic, aquatic as well as marine and have few natural predators. It is a protected species in almost all the range countries, which prohibits its killing. They include the Southern River Otter, Hairy Nosed Otter, Giant Otter, and the India Smooth Coated Otter. They may either construct such a burrow themselves, or they may take over an abandoned one. While incidents of poaching of smooth-coated otters have reduced, the species is still prone to hunting for its extremely soft skin,” said Dr Satish Pande, founder, Ela Foundation. Please help us improving our species range maps. Their range and population are shrinking due to loss of wetland habitat and contamination of waterways by pesticides. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic Lip Kee Yap, Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Shreyadg, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Yathin S Krishnappa, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Chermundy, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Thai National Parks. Smooth-coated otters are social and hunt in groups. Northern river otter. They may be distinguished from other species of otters by a more rounded head and a hairless nose in the shape of a distorted diamond. Several of the species though are listed as vulnerable and endangered. Finding groups online that you can join the efforts of is very simple. Just like its name which is “northern”, this species of sea otter is native to the North America continent where you can find them exist along the coast and also waterways. No problem if you do not know the species, we will do our best to identify it for you. It can also make you feel good about doing your part for these animals. Very territorial to other otter groups outside their families Smooth-coated otters are used for commercial fishing in southern Bangladesh. Their fur has to be kept clean so when the water is polluted with chemicals or oils it can kill them. Otters are mammals that are extremely playful and sensitive. In most Asian countries increased human population during the last century, inadequate and ineffective rural development programmes have not been able to address the problems of poverty, forcing people to be more and more dependent on natural resources. Consequently, most of the wetlands and waterways do not have adequate prey base for sustaining otter populations. It can take a long time to clean up their environment though from the dangers. The tail is flattened, in contrast to the more rounded tails of other species. One famous subspecies, known only to live in Iraq, may be extinct now. As a result the numbers of them are quite low. Fossils belonging to the genus Lutrogale are known from the early Pleistocene of Java. Their presence is considered an indication of … Huzzah! Sponsor an Animal Jimmy and Lenny Leng are just one of our Smooth Coated According to a 2016 report by TRAFFIC (wildlife trade monitoring network), analysis of seizures from illegal otter trade concluded that poaching and trade posed a significant threat to the four otter species in Asia: Asian Small-clawed Otter, Eurasian Otter, Hairy-nosed Otter, and the Smooth-coated Otter. Smooth-coated otters form small family groups of a mated pair with up to four offspring from previous seasons. CITES is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals, and as of yesterday, in a meeting in Geneva, over 100 countries have voted to ban the trade in the smooth-coated otters and officially placing the otters onto the CITES most endangered list. People actively hunted for the sea otters’ wool in the 18th century, which meant destructive influence for the species, and sea otters began to occur less frequently and less frequently in the natural habitat. DO NOT litter or leave sharp objects in the water. At birth, the pups are blind and helpless, but after 10 days, their eyes open, and they are weaned at about three to five months. The legs are short and strong, with large webbed feet bearing strong claws. The largest individuals occupied the middle section. Our range maps are based on limited data we have collected. The animals move in groups and feed mostly on fishes. So long as there is a sufficient food supply, they will breed throughout the year, but where otters are dependent on monsoons for precipitation, breeding occurs between October and February. Smooth-coated otters are relatively large for otters, from 7 to 11 kg in weight and 59 to 64 cm in head-body length, with a 37 to 43 cm tail. Smooth-coated otters are known to shelter in shallow burrows or piles of driftwood and rocks. In Singapore, the Smooth‐coated otter Lutrogale perspicillata, a species listed as Critically Endangered in the Singapore Red Data Book (Davison et al., 2008) and Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (IUCN, 2019), has made a tremendous rebound after an absence of three decades. Please post your images to our Thai Biodiversity Survey & Species ID group on Facebook. The main reason that these Otters were hunted though was for their fur. 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