Journal of Threatened
Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2026 | 18(3): 28540–28545
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9816.18.3.28540-28545
#9816 | Received 05 April 2025 | Final received 15 February 2026| Finally
accepted 02 March 2026
Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale
perspicillata (Mammalia: Carnivora: Mustelidae) observation near a community
reservoir in Bannerghatta National Park
Amrita Nair 1 & Avinash Krishnan 2
1,2 A Rocha India, 13, Kesserguppe,
Bannerghatta Post, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560083, India.
1 amrita.nair@arocha.org, 2 avinash.krishnan@arocha.org
(corresponding author)
Abstract: The Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale
perspicillata has not previously been documented from Bannerghatta National
Park (BNP), southern India and this study confirms its presence from the
landscape. A 10-day reconnaissance survey (from 17–26 October 2024) was
conducted around the Chikkondanahalli Reservoir, which is located between BNP
and the village of Chikkondanahalli (Karnataka) utilizing perimeter walks and
community interviews. We gathered data and signs of otter presence and
activity, such as spraints, tracks, and feeding remains. On the seventh day of
the survey, a direct observation of a group of four otters was made, marking
the first recorded sighting in the park. Additional evidence, including fresh
spraints and track marks, confirmed otter presence. However, the survey also
identified several anthropogenic threats, such as fishing, cattle grazing, and
pollution, which may impact the quality of otter habitats and their long-term
survival in the area. The results suggest that otters may use reservoirs like
Chikkondanahalli as an important habitat with potential movement between water
bodies. These findings highlight the need for further research to understand
otter movement patterns and habitat preferences in the BNP landscape.
Keywords: Freshwater ecosystems,
human-wildlife interactions, Karnataka, new record, observation, species
distribution, otter conservation.
Editor: Bhargavi Srinivasulu,
Zoo Outreach Organisation, Hyderabad, India. Date of publication: 26 March 2026 (online & print)
Citation: Nair,
A. & A. Krishnan (2026). Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale
perspicillata (Mammalia: Carnivora: Mustelidae) observation near a
community reservoir in Bannerghatta National Park. Journal of Threatened Taxa 18(3): 28540–28545. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9816.18.3.28540-28545
Copyright: © Nair & Krishnan 2026. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in
any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of
publication.
Funding: Rainmatter Foundation.
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
Author details: Avinash Krishnan is a conservation biologist with A
Rocha India, Bengaluru, working on human–wildlife interactions and
landscape-level conservation in the Bannerghatta–Hosur region.
His research focuses on human–elephant conflict mitigation, carnivore ecology,
and community-based conservation, with particular interest in coexistence
strategies and applied conservation research in southern India. Amrita Nair is an ecologist interested in the intersection of socio-ecological and socio-political
dimensions of conservation, with a focus on human–wildlife conflict and the
restoration of degraded and disturbed forest ecosystems. She is currently
working on developing management strategies, as well as livelihood-based
and ecological solutions, to address invasive plant species such as Lantana
camara, which are impacting forest landscapes across the Western and Eastern
Ghats and contributing to human–wildlife conflict.
Author contributions: AN: conducted field surveys, collected and compiled data, performed
preliminary analysis, and prepared the initial draft of the manuscript. AK:
conceived and supervised the study, contributed to study design and data
interpretation, and reviewed and edited the manuscript.
Acknowledgements: We extend our sincere gratitude to the Karnataka Forest Department of
Bannerghatta National Park, with special appreciation to range forest officer
Mr. Anthony (Kodihalli Range) for his invaluable support
in facilitating this preliminary survey. We also express our heartfelt thanks
to the staff and volunteers of A Rocha India for their assistance during
fieldwork. Special acknowledgment is due to Mr. Mahadevappa, a resident of
Chikkondanahalli and former forest watcher, whose
extensive knowledge of the area and logistical support were instrumental to the
success of this study. We are deeply grateful to the Rainmatter Foundation for
funding this research as part of a grant awarded to A Rocha India to assess the ecological significance of the Bannerghatta-Hosur landscape.
We sincerely thank Dr. Jeremy Lindsell of A Rocha International and Sagarika
Phalke for their valuable comments on the manuscript, which have helped improve
its quality. Finally, we extend our appreciation to the
anonymous reviewer for their critical insights, which have significantly
enhanced the quality of this manuscript.
Introduction
Otters, belonging to the
subfamily Lutrinae, are an integral part of freshwater and coastal ecosystems
worldwide. With 13 species distributed across five continents, these
semi-aquatic mammals play a critical role as apex predators and ecosystem
engineers, influencing trophic dynamics, and habitat health (Kruuk 2006 ; Roos et al. 2015 ). India is home to three of the 13
species, namely, Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra, Smooth-coated Otter Lutra
perspicillata, and Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus (Samad et. al.
2020; WWF India 2024). Otter populations have been declining globally due to
escalating threats such as habitat destruction, pollution, overfishing, and
illegal trade (Baskaran et al. 2022). The International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species has categorized
the Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra as ‘Near Threatened’ and the Smooth-coated
Otter Lutrogale perspicillata as ‘Vulnerable’, underscoring the
precarious conservation status of these species (de Silva et al. 2015;
Duplaix & Savage 2018; IUCN 2022).
These pressures are particularly
pronounced in developing regions such as southeastern Asia, which has emerged
as a major region of concern for otter trafficking (Basnet et al. 2020).
In India, Smooth-coated Otters, stated as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List (de
Silva et al. 2015) and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection)
Amendment Act, 2022 inhabit freshwater ecosystems but face multiple threats.
These include persecution and deliberate habitat destruction by fishermen due
to conflicts arising from otters damaging fishing nets while hunting prey, as
well as water pollution and reduced prey availability caused by fish poisoning
(Kamjing et al. 2017; Jain et al. 2023; Trivedi et al. 2023). Recent studies
have highlighted the presence of otter populations in areas close to
Bannerghatta National Park (Daily Pioneer 2017). Notably, a study by Gubbi et
al. (2021), conducted between 2014 and 2021, reported the occurrence of
Smooth-coated Otters in the Ramanagara District. In another study, Baskaran et
al. (2022) recorded 36 Smooth-coated Otters along a 62-km stretch of the
Cauvery River in Tamil Nadu, suggesting the potential occurrence of populations
upstream in Karnataka. Ramanagara District lies to the west of Bannerghatta National
Park, while the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is located to the south and
southwest, extending into both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. While all three otter species found in India have been reported from
the southern Western Ghats (Arivoli et. al. 2021), their presence in
Bannerghatta National Park has not been systematically documented to date.
This study presents the first
direct observation of a Smooth-coated Otter group in Bannerghatta National
Park, recorded during a 10-day survey. This finding marks a significant
addition to the ecological knowledge of the biodiversity of the region and
underscores the importance of further research into the park’s aquatic
ecosystems.
Materials
and Methods
Study area
Bannerghatta National Park (BNP),
covering approximately 256 km², is situated at the northernmost tip of the
Eastern Ghats in Karnataka, India. The park has a linear shape, spanning no
more than 5 km in width and shares its boundaries with the Cauvery Wildlife
Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu to the south-east and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
(CWS) in Karnataka to the south-west. Water sources play a crucial role in the
succession of wildlife and its habitat. The BNP is well-endowed with a variety
of water sources, including perennial and seasonal streams, tanks, and ponds.
Artificial water holes have also been constructed through the soil and moisture
conservation initiatives of the local forest department. Within the Kodihalli
Range, the Neralatti (0.42 km²) and Chikkondanahalli reservoirs (0.61 km²)
serve as vital perennial water sources for the park’s wildlife (Image 1). Notably,
the forest department has anecdotally reported otter presence at these water
bodies, highlighting their presence within the area.
The park
forms part of a broader, ecologically interconnected forest landscape, linked via multiple local river
distributaries to the Hosur forests in Tamil Nadu to the south-east and the
Ramanagara forests in Karnataka to the south-west (Baskaran et al. 2022). These
ecological linkages extend further into the expansive forested regions of the
CWS, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, and the Eastern Ghats, traversing key areas
such as the Male Mahadeshwara Hills, Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife
Sanctuary, Kollegal Forest Division, and the Sathyamangalam forests. This
landscape-level connectivity plays a critical role in facilitating
transboundary wildlife movement, maintaining ecological integrity, and
supporting long-term biodiversity conservation.
Methods
We conducted a consecutive 10-day
reconnaissance survey around the Chikkondanahalli reservoir, in
Chikkondanahalli Village, Kanakapura Taluk, Ramanagara District. Our survey
efforts focused on monitoring the reservoir each morning 0530–0930 h and
evening 1600–1800 h, from 17–26 October 2024. Over this period, we covered a
total distance of 4.33 km, walking along the reservoir’s perimeter. Following
the morning monitoring sessions, the team surveyed 13 anicuts or check dams in
the vicinity for signs of otter presence, aiming to identify potential routes
used by the otters to access or retreat from the reservoir. The reservoir is
bordered by 11 adjoining villages. During the survey period, perimeter walks
were conducted around the lake to observe and record signs of otter presence,
including track marks, spraints, and feeding remains.
Additional
observations included sightings of other wildlife and any potential threats to
the habitat. Location data was recorded through the GPS device (Garmin eTrex
10), and observations were made using binoculars (Nikon 175133 BJ) and a camera
(Nikon Coolpix P1000). We engaged with local communities for insights into
otter sightings (locally referred to as “neer nayee”/
in Kannada), using interviews
with local communities to assess their perceptions and experiences with otter
interactions. Respondents were also asked whether their encounters with otters
were perceived as positive (non-conflictual) or negative (encounters involving
perceived conflict, economic loss or disturbance).
Results
On the first day, we recorded
indirect evidence of otter presence in the form of otter spraints, three fresh
and four old, at two different locations along the reservoir perimeter.
On the seventh day, we observed
seven fresh otter spraints on the same rocks where dry spraints had been found
on the first day, along with track marks (Image 2).
On 23 October 2024, at 0727 h, a
direct sighting of Smooth-coated Otters was recorded. A family of four otters
was observed (Image 3), engaging in grooming, playing, and swimming.
Their behaviour and movements were monitored for an hour before they
disappeared. Additional evidence, including fresh spraints and track marks, was
also documented. However, the age and sex of the individuals could not be
determined.
The visits to the anicuts yielded
no direct evidence of otter presence. However, interviews with local fishermen
and farmers frequently visiting these areas suggested that otter sightings were
common. Notably, three residents at the anicuts reported spotting otters just
1–2 days before their interviews on the fourth and fifth days of the survey.
Additionally, residents near the reservoir reported otter sightings
approximately 5–6 days before the survey commenced, coinciding with an increase
in pollution and fish die-offs. This raises the possibility that deteriorating
water quality may have influenced otter movement, potentially driving them to
seek alternative foraging areas. Meanwhile, two fishermen expressed negative
views, primarily due to perceived competition for fish and concerns over damage
to fishing nets attributed to otter activity.
Several anthropogenic threats to
the habitat were also observed. These included active fishing practices
involving poisoning, fishing nets, and pollution, evidenced by plastic waste
and the presence of dead fish and crustaceans in the water (Image 4).
Discussion
BNP harbours a rich assemblage of
fauna, including flagship and ecologically significant species such as the
Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, Indian Gaur Bos gaurus, Leopard Panthera
pardus, and Dhole Cuon alpinus (Varma et. al. 2009). Furthermore,
the documented occurrence of smaller carnivores such as the Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus
rubiginosus, Jungle Cat Felis chaus, and Ratel Mellivora capensis
underscores the park’s ecological value in sustaining a diversity of both
terrestrial and semi-aquatic mammalian species (Krishnan et al. 2016). However,
BNP faces increasing anthropogenic pressures, which pose a significant threat
to wildlife, particularly along its forest-farm interface. Cattle grazing, sand
mining, and fuelwood collection constitute major anthropogenic pressures in the
area, driven by approximately 200 settlements located within 5 km of the park’s
boundary (Karikalan 2013).
The Chikkondanahalli and Nerletti
reservoirs within the forests of BNP are hydrologically connected to the CWS
through local stream networks and river distributaries (Baskaran et al. 2022).
CWS has established records of otter presence indicating potential movement corridors
between these protected areas. Our direct sighting of otters on day seven
confirms their utilization of the reservoir, suggesting possible upstream
movement which needs to be studied further.
Despite no direct evidence of
otter presence at the anicuts, these structures may serve as crucial ecological
features (Image 5), facilitating movement between breeding and nesting habitats
in the CWS in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and feeding grounds in BNP.
Alternatively, these structures could function as temporary refuges during
unfavorable environmental conditions, such as pollution spikes and prey
depletion in the reservoir.
Further research is necessary to
understand the movement patterns and habitat preferences of smooth-coated
otters in and around the national park, particularly concerning the anicuts and
reservoirs. Since otters are highly dependent on both the quality and
connectivity of aquatic habitats, identifying critical movement corridors and
feeding areas is essential for managing their conservation in this landscape
(Duplaix & Savage 2018). Addressing the growing threats requires an
integrated conservation approach. Habitat degradation, pollution, and
overfishing need targeted management strategies that incorporate both habitat
restoration and community-based conservation efforts. Specific actions such as
monitoring fishing practices, reducing plastic pollution, and minimizing
disturbance from grazing and other human activities is vital. Additionally,
long-term monitoring of otter populations and habitat health should be
prioritized. Implementing these strategies will ensure the conservation of
Smooth-coated Otters and the integrity of their ecosystems in the face of
anthropogenic pressures.
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