Context: Recently, Three Eurasian Otters were spotted in the Neeru stream of the Chenab catchment in Jammu and Kashmir.

• A trio of scientists from the University of Jammu’s Institute of Mountain Environment (IME) at Bhaderwah camera-trapped three Eurasian otters – two adults and one sub-adult – in the Neeru stream of the Chenab catchment.

• Apart from putting an end to doubts about the animal’s presence in the upper Chenab catchment, their findings have confirmed that some stretches of the Neeru remain unpolluted. The Neeru is a tributary of the Chenab river.

About Eurasian Otter

• It is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal.

• Scientific Name: Lutra lutra

Distribution

• It has one of the widest distributions of all Palaearctic mammals.

• Its range covers parts of three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa.

• In India, it occurs in northern, northeast, and southern India.

Habitat

• It lives in a wide variety of aquatic habitats, including highland and lowland lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, swamp forests, and coastal areas.

• In the Indian sub-continent, Eurasian otters occur in cold hill and mountain streams.

Features

• It has a long lithe body with a thick tail and short legs.

• It has sensitive whiskers around the snout to help detect prey.

• It has two layers of fur: a thick waterproof outer one and a warm inner one with 50,000 hairs/cm 2

• It has an acute sense of sight, smell, and hearing. 

Conservation Status

• IUCN: Near threatened

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II

• CITES:  Appendix I

What is Neeru?

• Neeru is a tributary of the Chenab river. It is a 30­km perennial stream that originates in the Kailash Lake at 3,900 meters above mean sea level and drains into the Chenab at Pul­Doda. 

• Fed by 13 major tributaries, Neeru flows through several small villages, semi­urban and urbanized areas with Bhaderwah being the largest settlement.

What is the significance of spotting Eurasian Otters near Neeru river?

• Eurasian otters are regarded as a flagship species and indicator of high-quality aquatic habitats. Its presence is encouraging for the health of the Neeru stream.