IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin

©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group

Volume 36 Issue 1 (January 2019)

Citation: Raman, K, Sivangnanaboopathidossvimal, Kishorekumar, S, Krishnakumar, BM and Selvan, KM (2019). Occurrence of Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata in Sankaraparani River, Puducherry, India. IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 36 (1): 28 - 33

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Occurrence of Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata in Sankaraparani River, Puducherry, India

Kothandapani Raman1, Sivangnanaboopathidossvimal2, Sakthivel Kishorekumar3, Bawa M. Krishnakumar4 and Kanagaraj M. Selvan5

1 No:4/739, Dr, Ambedhkar Street, Kandamangalam (Post), Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, 605012
2 No:65, Second Cross Street, Kurunji Nagar Extension. Lawspet, Puducherry, 605008
3 No:24, Seventh Cross Street, Bharathinagar, Karauvadikuppam, Lawspet, Puducherry, 605008
4 Salim Ali School of Ecology & Environmental Science, Pondicherry University, R.V.Nagar,Kalapet, Puducherry 605014
5 5Scientist D/Joint Director, Project Elephant, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Indhira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi, 110003 e-mail: tamildove@gmail.com

Kothandapani Raman climbing a steep hillside Sivangnanaboopathidossvimal wading in a riverSakthivel Kishorekumar standing on the prow of a boat on the water with overhanging trees behindBawa M. Krishnakumar in front of large rocks.Kanagaraj M. Selvan sitting at his desk

Received 7th February 2018, accepted 30th December 2018

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Abstract: Lack of robust data has so far impeded a proper appraisal on the distribution of any taxa. In this article, we present a record of smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1826) in the Sankaraparani River, Union territory of Puducherry, India, an area where it has previously not been recorded. As otters have been preying on fish entangled in fishing nets, fishermen have been killing them in retaliation, which is a significant conservation issue for the otter population

Keywords: Smooth-coated Otter, Sankaraparani River, Puducherry

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INTRODUCTION

Data on distribution and ecology of many mesocarnivores are very limited. Three species of otters exist in India, of which smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata is largest. Adapted for a semi-aquatic life, with webbed feet and a strong tapering tail that aids in propulsion (Johnsingh and Manjrekar, 2013). Smooth-coated Otters prey readily on fish, shrimp, crayfish, crab, insects, and vertebrates, such as frog, mudskippers, birds, and rats, form a significant part of their diet (Prater, 1971; Foster-Turley, 1992; Hussain and Choudhury, 1998). Geographically, the smooth-coated Otter ranges from Indonesia in South East Asia , to Pakistan in the West with an isolated population of this species (L. p. maxwelli) in the marshes of Iraq; this is the westernmost end of its distribution (Hussain, 1993). It has been classified under Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and categorized as a Vulnerable by IUCN Red list (De Silva et al., 2015), furthermore, it is listed in Appendix II of CITES. Herein we present a new site locality with a few incidental observations of smooth-coated Otters (SCO) from the Puducherry on Coromandel Coast of southern peninsular India.

Study Area

The Union territory of Puducherry (formerly known as Pondicherry) is located on the east coast of southern peninsular India. It consists of the districts of Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahe  and Puducherry, the latter containing the capital; the union territories consist of adjacent collections of small enclave pockets in other states. One  notable river in Puducherry originates on the western slope of Gingee hill in the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, and flows into the Bay of Bengal;  it is known as the Sankaraparani river at Villianur in Puducherry district. Its ancient name was Varahanadi and Tondi (Figure 1). It splits off into separate branch at Ariyankuppam known as Chunnambaar (Vijayakumar et al., 2012). Bankside vegetation including Borassus flabellifer, Prosopis juliflora, Leucaena leucocephala, Morinda tinctoria, Albizia lebbeck, Bombex ceiba and Bambusa sp. grows along the bank of the river (Figure 2), and provides ideal refuge for SCO; it is also habitat for Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), Common grey mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii), Jungle cat (Felis chaus), common palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica).

Composite map of the study area. Top left is a satellite map of the southern part of India with the state boundaries superimposed. On the south east coast is a circle and arrow pointing at the second map. The second, top centre, map shows the Puducherry district on a satellite map, with the boundaries of the various enclaves that make it up superimposed; these run along the coast on the eastern side and inland, each being close to the others but separate, and embedded in a larger state. The third, right hand top map shows a closer satellite photo of the Sankaraparani river, running wide between small fields and patches of bush. A white arrow leads from this river to the main map below. There we see a larger scale map showing the wide river with wooded sandbank islands, running through a flat landscape of small fields and trees. Spraints and signs are indicated by blue pawprint symbols in two places on the north eastern bank. Live sightings are indicated by orange otter symbols alon the river course, with one in the north in a densely wooded area.
Figure 1. Sightings of L. perspicillata in Sankaraparani River, Puducherry


View across the river showing floading water vegetation near the banks, a grassy island or sandbank in the middle and shores with bushes and grass, with a few isolated trees; in the distance is a more heavily wooded area. The landscape is very flat.
Figure 2. Typical habitat of L. perspicillata with natural vegetation

On 28th August 2017, we sighted a group of SCO including a pup while we were engaged on a bird survey. They were sinuously swimming parallel to the water flow (Figure 3).. Upon sighting us, they bounded into narrow-leaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), which is ubiquitous in the river. SCO have not been recorded previously in he Union territory of Puducherry. Ssince then, we have visited the location occasionally and made observations, which are summarized in Table 1.

Two photographs of otters. On the left, an otter has its head and neck periscoped out of the water, whiskers bristling, looking at the camera; another otter is next to it, on the left, with its head at water level, also watching the camera, while a third, on the right, swims behind them. The water is in concentric ripples around them. On the right, a single otter is periscoped out of the water, further than before, watching the camera.
Figure 3. A group of Smooth-coated otter L. perspicillata (Photo credit: Aravindh)

 
Table 1: Details of L. perspicillata records from Sankaraparani River.
Date of Visit Number of Ind * Time Activity GPS Location
28.08.2017 3 1030 Couple of SCO were swimming parallel to water flow. N11°54’46.857”
E79°’44’5.917”
10.09.2017 1 1600 Foraging till 1800 N11°54’56.503”
E79°43’51.92”
01.10.2017 2 1500 to 1630 Basking on a pile of sand that was covered with moss N11°55’2.771”
E79°43’45.911”
22.10.2017 9 1830   N11°54’56.613”
E79°43’48.907”
05.11.2017     Footprint N11°54’40.307”
E79°44’11.719”
26.11.2017 1 0600 Rushed towards observer (who was swimming to photograph) and then emerged out of the water while looking at him for few minutes, possibly to investigate. N11°54’46.85”
E79°44’5.91”
10.12.2017 2 0600 Both were feeding on fish that was entangled in a fishing net N11°54’47.5”
E79°44’06.7”
30.12.2017     Foot-print & spraints N11°54’54.0”
E079°43’57.9”
*Number of live individuals

Threats

We interviewed a few residents and fishermen, who informed us that SCO have been depredating domestic fowl while they forage along the bank of the river and also catch and stealing the fish that are entangled in fishing nets.  Because of this, fishermen have retaliated with the help of local hunters (Narikuravar). Also, indiscriminate sand mining in and along river bank destroy their habitat, holt being particularly vulnerable (Figure 4).

Two pictures side by side. On the left is an area of river with grassy island in the middle, reeds and bushes all along the banks and grassy areas. On the right is the same area undergoing sand mining. All the vegetation has been grubbed up and is lying in piles, some in the river, and the grass has been scraped back. Sand is lying in piles ready for transport. Just ofshore is a floating platform.
Figure 4.Sand mining along the bank of the river

 

CONCLUSION

Retaliatory killing of SCO adversely affects the population locally. Strict implementation of the law for species conservation, and educating local residents and fishermen about the importance of this species in the ecosystem is crucial for this isolated remnant population. This initial observation provides an important baseline for further research and evaluation of conservation initiatives.

Acknowledgements: Authors are thankful to Mr. Iyappan and Mr. Sivashankaran for identifications of plants and Mr. Aravindh for photographs.

REFERENCES

De Silva, P., Khan, W.A., Kanchanasaka, B., Reza Lubis, I., Feeroz, M.M., Al-Sheikhly, O.F. (2015). Lutrogale perspicillata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015.
Foster-Turley, P. (1992). Conservation ecology of sympatric Asian otters Aonyx cinerea and Lutra perspicillata. PhD thesis., University of Florida.
Johnsingh, A.J.T., Manjrekar, N. (2013). Mammals of South Asia, Vol. I. University Press, India.
Hussain, S.A. (1993). Aspects of the ecology of smooth-coated Otters Lutraperspicillata in National Chambal Sanctuary. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis. Center for Wildlife and Ornithology. Aligarh Muslim University. Aligarh, India.
Hussain, S.A., Choudhury, B.C. (1998). Feeding ecology of smooth-coated otter Lutraperspicillata in National Chambal Sanctuary. Proceedings of the Symposia of the Zoological Society of London. Behav. Ecol. Riparian Mamm. 71:229-250.
Prater, S.H. (1971). The book of Indian animals. 3rd edition. Mumbai: BNHS-OUP.
Vijaykumar, G., Sivasankaran, M.A., Murugaiyarn, V. (2012). Studies on the pollution levels in Ariyankuppam backwater, Puducherry region. Int. J. Sci. Environ. Technol. 1: 363-376.

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Revenez au dessus

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La falta de datos robustos impide una apreciación adecuada de la distribución de cualquier taxón. En este artículo, presentamos un registro de nutria lisa (Lutrogale perspicillata Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1826) en el río Sankaraparani, territorio de Puducherry, India, un área en la cual no había anteriormente registrada. Como la nutria merodea alrededor de los peces enredados en las redes de pesca, los pescadores las han venido matando en forma retaliatoria, lo que es un significativo problema de conservación para la población existente
Vuelva a la tapa

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