Profile

• Otters in Nepal

Three species of Otters are know to occur in Nepal: Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra_), Smooth-coated Otter (Lutra perspicillata_) and Asian Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus) (de Silva 2006, Thapa 2003).

The Eurasian Otter has been found in Begnas and the Rupa lakes and the West Seti basin (de Silva 2006). The Smooth-coated Otter occurs in the rivers Karnali, Mahakali, Koshi and Narayani rivers. However, a systematic monitoring of Otters is yet to be started in Nepal.

Otters have declined in Nepal with the status of the Asian Short-clawed unknown (de Silva 2006). Currently they are facing immense pressure in four fronts: degradation and loss of riparian habitat, poaching for their pelts, disturbance by human activities and their feeding behaviour brings them direct conflicts with fisherman, who saw Otters competitor for fishing. As a result they are surviving in fragmented population in some isolated areas (Thapa 2003).

• Otter Information Network of Nepal

Otter Information Network of Nepal is a consortium of individuals and groups working on Otter issues in Nepal. It serves as an Otter information centre in Nepal for global community.

This network aims to promote information exchange and discussion for conservation of Otters in Nepal.

For more details, please contact administrator/moderator of this group: Mr. Gandhiv Kafle (gandhivkafle@gmail.com).

• Request to Members/Researchers

The distribution of Otters in Nepal is still unknown. It seems essential to identify wetland sites in which Otters are present. If you have information on occurence of Otters in any wetland sites of Nepal, please indicate name & location of wetland site in discussion board of this group or send this information to mail@wetlandfriends.org or gandhivkafle@gmail.com.

• Some Useful Links

IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group www.otterspecialistgroup.org
Wetland Friends of Nepal www.wetlandfriends.org
Wetland Friends of Nepal Network www.wetlandfriends.uni.cc
Journal of Wetlands Ecology http://journal.wetlandfriends.org

Admin contact:

Gandhiv Kafle

Tags:

otter wetland nepal network gandhiv kafle friends ramsar sites iucnssc specialist group life-science