At a Glance
- Researchers conducting a tiger survey in Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary captured the first photographic evidence of Smooth-coated Otters, a species previously undocumented in the protected area.
- Camera traps strategically placed near signs of otter activity, like tracks and scat, successfully photographed a family group of four otters and a pair of two others.
- The Smooth-coated Otter is a vulnerable apex predator and a keystone species in aquatic ecosystems, receiving the highest level of legal protection in India.
- This discovery is crucial because very little is known about the distribution and population status of otters within the Indian state of Uttarakhand, where the sanctuary is located.
- Conservationists now urge systematic surveys to determine the otters’ population size and distribution, ensuring their long-term survival against threats such as poaching and habitat loss.
Researchers have captured the first-ever photographic evidence of smooth-coated otters within India’s Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary, a significant discovery for a region where the species’ presence was previously unconfirmed. The landmark finding, detailed in the August edition of the Journal of Threatened Taxa, occurred serendipitously after conservationists conducting a tiger survey spotted an unfamiliar “large-sized” mammal, prompting a targeted investigation using camera traps.
The initial glimpse in March 2024 led the research team to deploy five additional camera traps in May near areas showing signs of otter activity, such as tracks and scat. The strategy proved successful within just 10 days. On May 16, cameras photographed a group of four otters along a waterfront, followed by images of two more otters navigating boulders on May 21. This discovery provides crucial new data, as little is known about otter distribution in the surrounding northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.
Smooth-coated otters (Lutra perspicillata) are considered a keystone species, meaning their presence is vital to the health and stability of their aquatic ecosystems. As apex predators, they help regulate the populations of fish, crustaceans, and other prey. The species, which can weigh up to 24 pounds and forms large family groups, is classified as vulnerable to extinction. In India, it is listed on Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, which grants it the highest level of legal protection against threats such as poaching, habitat loss, and pollution.
This confirmation underscores the ecological importance of the Nandhaur landscape and highlights an urgent need for focused conservation efforts. The study’s authors emphasize that this photographic evidence should be the first step toward more comprehensive research. They call for systematic surveys to determine the otters’ population size and distribution patterns, which will be essential for developing strategies to ensure their long-term survival in the sanctuary and beyond.
References
- Bhardwaj, N., Nautiyal, H., Guleria, H., & Habib, B. (2025). First photographic record of smooth-coated otter (Carnivora: Mustelidae) from nandhaur wildlife sanctuary, uttarakhand, india. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 17(8), 27403–27406. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9655.17.8.27403-27406
- Pflughoeft, A. (2025, September 5). Chance sighting during tiger survey leads to first-of-their-kind photos in India of the smooth-coated otter. Phys.Org; Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2025-09-chance-sighting-tiger-survey-kind.html
