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Source: This post on Eurasian Otter has been created on the article “Eurasian Otter spotted in Kerala” published in Times of India on 31st December 2023.
Why in News?
Recently, Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) was spotted for the first time in Kerala. They were found at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki.
What is Eurasian Otter?
1) Eurasian Otter is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal.
2) They are shy and nocturnal.
3) The Eurasian otter lives in a wide variety of aquatic habitats including highland and lowland lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, swamp forests and coastal areas independent of their size, origin or latitude.
4) The species holds a conservation status of “Near Threatened” on the IUCN list.
5) It is classified under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and falls under Appendix I of the CITES.
6) There are three species of otters found in Kerala, including Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra), Smooth-coated Otter and Small-clawed Otter.
What is the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary?
| Specifications | Details |
| Location | Idukki District, Kerala |
| Geographical Features | 1) It is a prominent chunk of the block of protected forests growing in the Annamalai hills in the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. 2) The sanctuary’s landscape is characterized by rocky terrains, hillocks, and valleys. |
| Wildlife Sanctuary | Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary is to its East and Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is to the north. |
| Vegetation | Dry Deciduous Forests, Wet Grasslands, High Sholas, Dry Thorny Scrub Forests, and Riparian Forests. |
| Rivers | Chinnar and Pambar are the major rivers flowing through it. |
| Flora | Among the 1000 species of flowering plants, some of the rarely found species include Elaeocarpus recurvatus, Arabica, Acacia leucophloea, Santalum album, Neelakurinji, etc. |
| Fauna | 1) The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary provides a home to endangered species such as Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Gaur, Rusty-Spotty Cat, Sambar, Nilgiri Tahr, Bonnet Macaques, Tufted Grey Langur, Spotted Deer, etc. 2) It is also famous for preserving a diverse range of birds such as Black Eagle, Yellow-throated Bulbuls, Grey Heron, Serpent Eagle, Little Egret, etc. 3) The sanctuary also houses 156 species of butterflies, 42 species of fishes and several other reptiles along with some notable insects. 4) It is the only rehabilitation centre for the Indian Star Tortoise in India. |
UPSC Syllabus: Environment
