Source: DTE
Context: Smooth-coated otters will return to the Delhi Zoo after a 20-year absence, as part of an animal exchange program with the Surat Zoo.
About the Smooth-Coated Otter:
- Scientific Name: Lutrogale perspicillata
- Habitat: Found in wetlands, rivers, lakes, mangroves, and estuaries across South and Southeast Asia.
- Distribution: Native to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
- Physical Characteristics:
- Larger than other otter species, with shorter fur and a flattened tail.
- Has webbed feet for efficient swimming.
- Primarily carnivorous, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and amphibians.
IUCN Status & Conservation
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (VU) due to habitat destruction, poaching, and water pollution.
- CITES Listing: Appendix II, restricting international trade.
- Threats:
- Habitat loss due to wetland degradation.
- Illegal hunting for fur and pet trade.
- Decline in fish population impacting food availability.
- Conservation Measures:
- Protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India).
- Conservation projects focusing on wetland restoration and anti-poaching efforts.
