Conservation prospects of smooth-coated otter lutrogale perspicillata (geoffroy saint-hilaire, 1826) in Rajasthan

Abstract

This chapter attempts to elucidate conservation ecology of Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata through a review based on past studies in Rajasthan. Otters are semiaquatic members of the Mustelidae family, and their presence serves as an important biological indicator of wetland quality. Of the five species of otters reported from Asia, three species, namely, Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra, Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillataand the Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus, are found in India. The Smooth-coated Otter is the largest and the most common of Asian otters; being distributed throughout India, L. perspicillataprefers habitats such as large rivers, lakes and swamps and tends to compete for resources with A. cinereusand L. lutrawhen all the three species occur sympatrically. The species is listed as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN and is in Appendix II of the CITES and Schedule II (Part II) of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006. Studies on otters are scanty, and the only known distribution of the species in Rajasthan has been recorded from the “World Heritage site”, Keoladeo National Park [Bharatpur] and the National Chambal Sanctuary [Kota]. While some measure of research has been established, the distributional records are largely subjective or are based on chance observations, and as a result, there exists no concrete database for monitoring the population trends of this species. Conservation issues and need for the protection of fauna have been discussed in this chapter.