Smooth-coated otters sighted in Boath range of Adilabad for first time

Smooth-coated otters, listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, were sighted for the first time in an irrigation tank near Gollapur village in Adilabad district, delighting forest officials and highlighting the region’s improving aquatic biodiversity.

Adilabad: A raft or group of smooth-coated otters, scientifically known as Lutrogale perspicillata and marked as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, were sighted for the first time in an irrigation tank near Gollapur village in Sonala mandal under the Boath forest range on Sunday.

The sighting, seen as an indication of the region’s rich biodiversity, delighted Forest officials.

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Boath Forest Range Officer Thodishetty Pranay Kumar said the otters were spotted by tribals in the tank near forest areas during a field visit by Forest officials. Copious rainfall received by the region, increased recharge of water bodies and prevention of poaching had resulted in suitable living conditions in the tank, attracting the otters, he explained, adding that the aquatic animal was earlier recorded at the famed Kuntala waterfalls.

Forest officials said steps were being taken to ensure the safety of the otters. They noted that the movement of the otters was being continuously tracked, while CCTV camera traps had been installed around the tank. Awareness among the public was being enhanced, and efforts were underway to convert the region into a model for the protection of aquatic biodiversity.

Known as top predators, otters play a vital role in maintaining balance in the food chain as they help control fish populations by feeding on them. They are classified as the most protected species under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protect Act, 1972. Their presence in a landscape is considered an indicator of clean water, abundant fish wealth and balanced diversity of aquatic species, according to environmental experts.