Enjoying my scenic drive to Chorao to the office of Wild Otters, I am greeted by a young, energetic team. With an average age of 26 years, this group of young conservationists work hard in researching and monitoring otter-human co-existence in Goa. Atul Borker, founder – director of Wild Otters is a mechanical engineer who worked in a multinational software company before making the switch to wildlife conservation research. He started working in wildlife conservation in 2013 with the Mhadei Research Centre and formed Wild Otters in 2014. He is also the recipient of the ‘Future Conservationist Award’ for his work on otters in 2014.
Why Otters? I wonder and pat comes his instant response, “Generally, most of us confuse otters for seals or worse, mongoose! That’s how ignorant we are about these creatures. Goa is home to two of the three species found in India, the Smooth-coated and the Asian Small-clawed otter. ”
Otters are semi-aquatic. Borker explains, “They are ‘indicator’ species vulnerable to climate change and habitat degradation. You can be assured that the presence of otters is a sign of clear rivers. Their importance and role in our eco system is significant. Otters remove weak and diseased fish, which prevent them from breeding thus maintaining a healthy population in circulation.”
Given the elusive nature of otters, it is often difficult to track them. Actual sightings even for these researchers are rare and not a daily occurrence. The group has covered the 873 km river length of Goa trying to document the two species. Smooth-coated otters are mainly found in the mangroves of the river Mandovi, Chapora, Zuari, Tiracol and Sal to name a few while the Small-clawed ones are present in the forest streams around the four sanctuaries in the east of Goa.
It is tough to get estimates, especially in Goa with no historical data to go by. Otters have no individual markings making it difficult to count and making recounting a typical hazard besides radio telemetry collars are impractical and risky for them. Camera trapping helps researchers understand otter habitats and family dynamics. Borker enthusiastically adds, “Wild Otters was able to get the first photographic record in the world of sympatry between the two species.” Two species are said to be sympatric if they occupy the same or overlapping geographical areas.
According to the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 12 of the 13 otter species are listed as vulnerable, threatened or endangered and are experiencing population declines. In India and Goa too, this story seems to play true. Borker says, “Habitat loss due to anthropogenic activities is a main concern. Pollution in the water owing to effluents and more construction on the riverbanks has shrunk otter habitats. Besides, iron ore and sand mining have thinned vegetation around riverbeds decreasing the number of sites where otters can forage and fish.”
Unlike other places, thankfully in Goa, fishermen are not a threat to the otter. Often, in other parts of the world, many otters are killed in human-otter conflicts as they pose a threat to the fisherman’s catch and hence income. “Not so in Goa. Instances are few and incidental,” Borker avers.
With the recent announcements of a possible coal port expansion project in Goa and the already existing coal trade by The Mormugao Port Trust, it poses a huge threat to Goa’s wilderness, marine and human life. Shaking his head in dismay, Borker states, “This is a disastrous and regressive move. In a small state like Goa, wildlife and fishing communities will be severely impacted. It has negative repercussions across board.”
At Wild Otters, along with Borker, his research associates Hannah Krupa and Akshita Pungaliya provide the infrastructure for youngsters and interns to enable them to do research independently. They conduct internship programmes and workshops to impart training in otter ecology and scientific tools of research and conservation. In 2015, they also trained 12 students in Sri Lanka on their study of the Eurasian otter. Borker adds, “We now want to expand our study to include other mammals and will be starting work on Pangolins (scaly anteaters) in Maharashtra.
Along with holding advocacy programmes for schools and other stakeholders on the importance of otter protection, Wild Otters is a busy unit – as busy and elusive as the otters themselves. As a parting shot, Borker adds, “There’s no time for boredom. As I see it, there are things in my control and those that are out of my control. I have the choice to focus on my sphere of influence and use my energies to do something positive.”
