The urban Smooth-coated otters Lutrogale perspicillata of Singapore: a review of the reasons for success

Abstract

Urbanization has a major impact on biodiversity, especially on carnivores. Otters are particularly sensitive to urbanization as it increases their risk of being persecuted and threatens the key requirements essential for their survival. Because of this, many otter species have suffered population declines throughout the world. However, in Singapore, the Smooth-coated otter Lutrogale perspicillata has made a tremendous rebound after an absence of three decades. The species is now widely distributed across the river systems and reservoirs, and can even be found in the highly urban city centre. This return of the Smooth-coated otters to Singapore was so successful that it was touted by many as a conservation success and role model for otters in the city. With more populations of otters elsewhere in the world threatened by the effects of urbanization, lessons can be drawn from the successful return of otters to Singapore and applied to these other countries. These lessons include the importance of laws, social factors and public–private partnerships in facilitating the return of a top carnivore to the city.