Thought to extinct, a rare vision in Kashmir revives the hopes of returning of Eurasian Oter in Kashmir

While the villagers initially thought it was a crocodile, wildlife officials recognized it as an Eurasian Oter after watching videos captured by the villagers. Later confirmed through photographic evidence.

South Kashmir wildlife warden Suhail Ahmed Vagar said, “It has been confirmed as Eurasian Oter.” “After this reported, we established CCTV monitoring, and we have captured it (on camera) at some places.”

Eurasian OterLocally known as Wudder, Kashmir had an integral part of the aquatic ecosystem and was found abundantly in water bodies. Its presence was used to intimidate children and keep them away from water bodies.

However, in the last three decades, it was not seen in the water bodies of the valley, and it was considered to be extinct in Kashmir.

The sudden decline in the ingestion, a carnivorous mammal that feeds fish and other aquatic organisms, was attributed to the increase in water pollution and the victim of mammal for its fur.

“Historical records suggest that the stream to be fed to Kashmir’s Dachigam and Dal Lake had a sufficient otter population. It was usually seen in Rambiara stream (in South Kashmir) and also in Lidar River (in Pahgam),” said Vaga. “However, it had not been seen for the last 25-30 years, so we thought it had become extinct (in Kashmir).”

Wildlife officials say this is the third time this year that it has been seen in the valley. “In May, it was first seen in the Gurez Valley,” said Vage. “It was also seen in Herpora (in the shopkeeper district of South Kashmir).”

Wildlife officials say it is encouraging to see mammal and can help restore aquatic ecology of Kashmir.