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Eurasian Otter

Eurasian Otter

12-06-2025

Why in the News?

  1. The Eurasian otter, believed to be extinct in Kashmir for the past 30 years, was sighted in the Lidder River in South Kashmir.
  2. This rare sighting has brought hope for the return of the species to the Valley.
  3. It is listed as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN.
  4. Wildlife officials have now started monitoring its movement through CCTV cameras.

What are the Key Highlights?

  1. About:
    1. The Eurasian otter is a shy and quiet animal.
    2. Even though it lives in a large area, its number is going down in many countries.
    3. This otter likes to play. It eats many things like fish, crabs, frogs, and sometimes even small birds, eggs, insects, and worms.
    4. The Eurasian otter is active mostly at night. It lives near rivers, lakes, and streams.
    5. The Eurasian otter can grow up to 4 feet long.
    6. It usually weighs around 10 kilograms.
    7. This animal is a very good swimmer and can swim at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour.
    8. It can also dive as deep as 20 meters underwater.
    9. Eurasian otters are very territorial, which means they protect their area from other otters.
    10. They live in parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
    11. It is known as Vuder in the local language of Kashmir.
    12. It lived in lakes, rivers, and streams.
    13. The return of the otter gives hope that the local water life may also be recovering.
    14. In the past, otters were seen in Dachigam, Dal Lake stream,  Rambiara stream in South Kashmir, Lidder River in Pahalgam.
    15. This year, otters have been seen in three places: Gurez Valley (in May), Heerpora in Shopian, Srigufwara in South Kashmir.
    16. Conservation Status:
      1. IUCN :   Near threatened
      1. WPA :   Schedule I
      2. CITES :   Appendix I

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

 

  1. The IUCN is a global environmental organization that works for the conservation of nature and sustainable use of natural resources.
    1. Founded: 1948
    2. Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland
    3. Members: Over 1,400 organizations (including governments, NGOs, and indigenous peoples' groups)
    4. Official Observer Status at the UN
  2. Red List of Threatened Species: Most famous for publishing the IUCN Red List, which assesses the conservation status of plant and animal species. Species are classified into categories like: Extinct (EX), Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Least Concern (LC)

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

  1. About: CITES is an international agreement between governments, aimed at ensuring that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
    1. Signed: 1973 (Washington Convention)
    2. Came into force: 1975
    3. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
    4. Members (Parties): 184 countries (as of 2024), including India
  2. Objectives:
    1. To regulate and monitor trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
    2. To ensure that trade is sustainable, legal, and traceable.
    3. To combat illegal wildlife trade.
  3. CITES classifies species into three appendices (Appendix I, II, III) based on their level of threat.

 Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

About:

  1. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 is a comprehensive Indian law enacted to protect wild animals, birds, and plants, and to ensure the ecological and environmental security of the country.

Key Features of the WPA:

  1. Legal Protection to Wildlife.
  2. Prohibits hunting of endangered animals and birds.
  3. Regulates possession, sale, and trade of wildlife products.

Classification of Species:

  1. Animals and plants are classified under 6 Schedules:
    1. Schedule I & II: Highest protection, offences attract severe penalties.
    2. Schedule III & IV: Protected, but penalties are lower.
    3. Schedule V: Vermin species (can be hunted, e.g., rats, crows in some states).
    4. Schedule VI: Protects and regulates cultivation of endangered plants
  1. Reasons for Extinction:
    1. Water Pollution: Rivers and lakes became dirty. Pesticides used in farming entered the water and threatened the species .
    2. Hunting for Fur: People hunted otters for their fur, which caused their numbers to go down.
    3. Since otters eat fish and other small water animals, the pollution made it harder for them to find food.

What are the Challenges and Way forward?

Challenges

Way Forward
  1. Hunting of otters for their fur
  1. Enforce strict laws to ban hunting and punish poaching.
  1. Water pollution from pesticides and waste
  1. Reduce pollution by managing waste and limiting pesticide use.
  1. Loss of natural habitat
  1. Restore and protect wetlands, rivers, and streams.
  1. Lack of awareness among local communities
  1. Educate people about the importance of otters in the ecosystem.
  1. No regular monitoring of otter population
  1. Set up CCTV and field surveys for proper monitoring

 

Ensure IAS Mains Question

Q. The rare sighting of the Eurasian otter in Kashmir after three decades has sparked hope for aquatic biodiversity recovery. Discuss the factors that led to its disappearance and suggest steps needed to ensure its conservation. (250 Words)

 

Ensure IAS Prelim MCQ:

Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the Eurasian Otter:

  1. It is listed as "Endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
  2. It is locally known as "Vuder" in Kashmir.
  3. Water pollution affected the fish population, which is the main food source for otters.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None

Answer: b

Explanation:

  1. Statement 1 is incorrect: The Eurasian otter is listed as "Near Threatened", not "Endangered".
  2. Statement 2 is correct: It is locally known as "Vuder" in Kashmir.
  3. Statement 3 is correct: Water pollution affected the fish population, which is the main food source for otters.

 

 

 

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