Smooth-coated otters make a splash along Maharashtra’s Konkan coast

There are around 500 smooth-coated otters along the southern Konkan coast, revealed the first census of this rarely studied mammal. (Dr Satish Pande/HT PHOTO)

Updated on: Nov 09, 2017 12:59 AM IST

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There are around 500 smooth-coated otters along the southern Konkan coast, revealed the first census of this rarely studied mammal. (Dr Satish Pande/HT PHOTO)

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Otters are an endangered species, and are found only on Konkan coast, say experts (Dr Satish Pande/HT PHOTO)

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The census, conducted by the state mangrove cell and Pune-based NGO Ela Foundation, is important because otters are classified as an endangered species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and ‘vulnerable’ under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (Dr Satish Pande/HT PHOTO)

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The census found between 437 and 591 otters across 12 creeks in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. (Dr Satish Pande/HT PHOTO)

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With small eyes and ears, a flat tail and webbed paws, smooth-coated otters hunt in groups for safety, the study found. (Dr Satish Pande/HT PHOTO)

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There are six species of otters recorded from Asia, of which the Eurasian otter, smooth-coated otter and Asian small-clawed otter, are reported from India. (Dr Satish Pande/HT PHOTO)

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“Otters are elusive aquatic mammals that move on both land and water. They are some of the most sensitive indicators of our aquatic ecosystems,” said Satish Pande, director, Ela Foundation which conducted the census with other researchers. (Dr Satish Pande/HT PHOTO)

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“We found that mangroves are essential for the survival of this species as they act as hiding places for these mammals. This ecosystem also supports a lot of aquatic life such as fish and crustaceans which makes up their diet,” said Pande. (Dr Satish Pande/HT PHOTO)