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Rare Eurasian Otter makes a comeback to Kashmir

The Wildlife authorities in the district told Greater Kashmir that the Eurasian Otters were present in the Gurez valley, but were rarely spotted on camera
11:57 PM Jan 30, 2025 IST | OWAIS FAROOQI
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Rare Eurasian Otter makes a comeback to Kashmir

Bandipora, Jan 30: The Wildlife Department has reported fresh photographic evidence of a group of Eurasian Otters in Gurez valley of north Kashmir's Bandipora district. Once considered nearly extinct, the recent sightings of Otter, indicates a healthy aquatic ecosystem in the Gurez valley.

The Wildlife authorities in the district told Greater Kashmir that the Eurasian Otters were present in the Gurez valley, but were rarely spotted on camera.

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Tanveer Ahmad Lone, a wildlife official said the Otters were spotted in the centrally located tehsil of Dawar in Gurez valley on the banks of Kishanganga river at least two days back.

"There was a presence of Otters in the valley but it was not being spotted on camera. The fresh evidence is positive news," Lone added.

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The presence of Otter species 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 them near riverine areas. The set up was established to study elusive Musk Deer.

However, one camera trap recorded an Eurasian Otter on August 6, 2023 at 2 am. Later 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 referred to the first sightings of Otters in Gurez in August, 2023.

He said during the last three years, Otters have been spotted at different places in Kashmir including Herpora wildlife sanctuary. The official said sightings have started to happen from the last two to three years.

The officer said three decades ago, the species was present in the valley in abundance and was commonly sighted but in subsequent days it was rarely spotted. "25 to 30 years ago, Otters were commonly sighted and their population was significant," he said. The period then was elusive. He suggested the fresh sightings indicates the population of otters has revived in the valley.

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