Fresh video evidence of eurasian otter in Gurez valley excites wildlife authorities
Bandipora, Jan 30: The wildlife department has reported fresh photographic evidence of a group of eurasian otters in Gurez valley of north Kashmirs Bandipora district.
Considered nearly extinct once, the recent sighting of otters indicates a healthy aquatic ecosystem in the Gurez valley.
The wildlife authorities in the district told Greater Kashmir that eurasain otters were present in the Gurez valley, but were rarely spotted on camera.
Tanveer Ahmad Lone, a wildlife official said the otters were spotted in centrally located Tehsil of Dawar in Gurez valley on the banks of Kishangaga river at least two days before.
"There was presence of otters in the valley but it was not being spotted on camera. The fresh evidence is positive news," Lone added.
The presence of otters in the Gurez valley was documented by the researchers for the first time in August 2023 near Tarbal which is close to LoC.
During the study sixty camera traps were set up six among near riverine areas, it was to study elusive Musk Deer.
However, one camera trap recorded an eurasian otter on 6 August, 2023 at 2:00 AM, midnight. There after it was not spotted due to various reasons until recently.
Intesar Suhail, Wildlife Warden North Kashmir said, "It is not the first but one of the rare sightings of the otter." He also reffered to the first sighting of Otters in Gurez in August, 2023.
He said from at least three years, otters have been spotted at different places in Kashmir including Herpora wildlife century.
The officer said before thirty years the species was present in the valley in abundance but their population had dwindled.
He suggested the fresh sightings indicate the population of otters has revived in the valley.