It’s a seal, it’s a fish… no, it’s an otter!! Often mistaken for a seal due to features such as head structure and whiskers, the semi-aquatic otter is an integral part of the small mammal ecosystem of Goa.
According to Atul Borker, who is part of the recently-formed group Wild Otters, channels such as National Geographic mainly host shows on seals, and not otters, which also leads to the lack of awareness about the latter.
“Many documentaries have been done on seals, not otters. So people are much more acquainted with seals, and don’t know otters exist. There are no seals in Goa. People confuse otters with seals,” he says.
The approximately 20-day-old group, have been working individually in this field, but have now come together to intensify their efforts to study, conserve, and most importantly create awareness about the animal.
Their research reveals that about 20 years ago, otters were a very common sight in Goa, especially for those living along the river, such as the fishing community. In 2006, people have spotted the animal in Rua de Ourem creek too.
As part of their surveys, the group has also met fishermen who describe the mammal’s behaviour. Now restricted to certain pockets, this group is trying to locate these pockets and identify the threats the otter is under.
“The research in Goa is still at a nascent stage. It will take years to come up with substantial data. But at this point, we need to take proactive conservation steps, because their population is fast-declining. If this trend continues, they will be wiped out from most parts of Goa,” says Borker, who believes the state is conducive to the smooth-coated otter population.
When Borker started his research in November last year, the sightings were restricted to one or two otters. After they started surveys, they discovered more pockets that harbour the mammal.
“But the numbers are very less. They do not have individual markings,” he states.
Explaining the importance of these animals in Goa waters, Borker states they feed on diseased fish, which prevents these diseases from spreading.
In addition, they are believed to be an excellent indicator of the health of an aquatic body.
While this remains a hypothesis right now, Borker says that it is very difficult to establish this scientifically. “The results have shown (this to be true). You cannot remove otters from a habitat to prove a hypothesis,” he says referring to several parts of North India, where the otter population was extremely healthy. Increasing tension and border disputes led to poachers getting a free hand, and the mammals being wiped out. A few years later, the water quality in their habitat was observed to have deteriorated, he says.
Otters are poached for their thick beautiful pelts.
“People dump garbage and other waste into water, part of which is not biodegradable. The otters cannot tolerate water pollution. If you know there are otters around a water body, fishermen can be sure there is good, healthy fish population,” he says.
Another cause for its depletion is the rampant construction in Goa.
“Only the Western Ghats are protected, but most of the otter population are outside protected areas. Many otters are found in private lands where construction is a problem,” says Borker.
Goa has two species of otters, the Asian small-clawed otter and the smooth-coated otter. In fact, proof of the former’s existence in Goa was established only in March this year through camera trap images.
Interestingly, both species show very different characteristics and prefer different habitats.
“The smooth-coated otters prefer water bodies with more fish, while the Asian small-clawed otter, which are the smallest species of otters in the world, prefer water bodies with more crustaceans, or crabs,” the 28-year-old points out.
In addition, smooth-coated otters are considered diurnal species, while the Asian small-clawed otter is nocturnal. But in certain areas where the human disturbance is tremendous, smooth coated have completely adapted to a nocturnal lifestyle.
The purpose behind forming Wild Otters, says Borker, is “to reach out to people and explain this animal and its importance. Under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species this animal has been listed as vulnerable. People need to be aware, so that even if they spot an otter they can give us a call. In addition to identifying pockets, we need to know good habitats for the animal. So that we can work towards conserving those habitats, so these animals can thrive there. Even our website has been designed with this intention in mind,” says Borker, who is also affiliated to the Mhadei Research Centre.
Review Bureau
