Smooth-coated otters sighted in Kothagudem after 35 years; conservationists call it major ecological sign

Smooth-coated otters, classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, have been sighted in Kothagudem after nearly 35 years. Conservationists report a growing population at a stream confluence, calling it a positive sign for biodiversity and urging habitat protection measures.

Kothagudem: Rare smooth coated otters, which have been ranked as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1996, were sighted in Kothagudem after a gap of nearly 35 years.

A bevy of smooth coated otters was sighted at the confluence of Godumavagu-Tellavagu streams near Old Kothagudem Penuballi in Chunchupally mandal in the district by a team of nature enthusiasts led by Sujeeth Anne of Meraki Organisation.

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According to him some local fishermen have reported presence of a new kind of animal in the streams in 2020; they kept appearing now and then in 2021 and 2023 while the first photographic evidence of the creatures was recorded in late 2025.

Initially a couple of smooth coated otters were found and in a recent assessment their population increased 40 to 50, which is a good sign since the animals were still ranked vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) last global assessment made in January, 2020.

Speaking to Telangana Today Sujeeth informed that the presence of smooth coated otters in Kinnerasani reservoir in Paloncha in the district was recorded in an official survey conducted in early 1990’s and after 2000 they disappeared owing to hunting and other reasons.

After the 2020 Covid lockdown the creatures were spotted in Suryapet district due to lack of human presence and fishermen stress. The floods in later periods might have made the creatures come to Kothagudem looking for safe habitat and settle here, he noted.

Smooth coated otters usually live in dens near streams, rivers, lakes and dams in forests; venture into flowing waters for hunting fish and that was how they were sighted at Old Kothagudem, Sujeeth explained.

He stressed on the importance of preserving their habitat; measures to prevent their hunting and pollution of water bodies, because of which their lives have been endangered. Smooth coated otters are (Lutrogale perspicillata) freshwater otter species native to South and Southwest Asia.