Threats

Habitat Loss

As human population has exponentially increased over the past century, demand for more land area, industrial activities and energy has been the driving factor behind one of the major threats to the Smooth-coated Otter population. Specifically, development activities, conversion and clearance of wetlands into settlements and for agriculture, as well as construction of large-scale hydroelectric projects have contributed to the habitat destruction of the Smooth-coated Otters, directly impacting the population.

In many parts of Asia, the habitats have been reduced due to reclamation of peat swamp forests and mangroves, aquaculture activities along the intertidal wetlands and loss of hill streams. In India the primary threats are loss of habitats due to tea and coffee plantations along the hills, in the coastal areas loss of mangroves due to aquaculture and increased human settlements and siltation of smaller hill streams due to deforestation. Increased influx of pesticides into the streams from the plantations reduces the quality of the habitats.

reduction in prey biomass, . Reductions in prey biomass (fish stocks) and infrastructural developments have led to disappearance of otters from the many streams and rivers which were once major otter habitats.

In most Asian countries, increased human population during the last century, inadequate and ineffective rural development programmes have not been able to address the problems of poverty, forcing people to be more and more dependent on natural resources. Consequently, most of the wetlands and waterways do not have adequate prey base for sustaining otter populations.

Due to the draining of the Mesopotamian Marshes during the presidency of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi population of otters was feared to have perished. A biodiversity site review in 2009 found tracks of an otter, suggesting the population may have survived,^[11] and comprehensive surveys in 2005–2012 found that it survived at several locations (even extending its range to Iraqi Kurdistan, far north of its previously known distribution).^[12]

 

Pollution

http://mothership.sg/2017/02/these-photos-of-otters-getting-tangled-up-in-our-litter-should-serve-as-an-impetus-to-stop-littering/

contamination of waterways by pesticides.

Wetlands and waterways are polluted by eutrophication and accumulation of persistent pesticides such as chlorinated hydrocarbons and organophosphates through agricultural runoffs. Increased pesticide use is not only regarded as a major obstacle to the development of rice-fish culture, but also poses a danger to all predators feeding on aquatic prey in the area.

pollution (pesticide and agricultural run-off leading to eutrophication of waterways and reduction in prey biomass),

Poaching/Culling

In south and southeast Asian countries, prevalent poaching pressure is affecting its survival.

serious, widespread conflict with aquaculturalists and fishermen who kill them as pests and competitors, and deliberate trapping for fur in India, Nepal and Bangladesh, mainly for export to China. Although technically legally protected throughout its range, this is laxly enforced; some local authorities actively encourage otter killing by fishery interests.

In the entire South and Southeast Asia, severe conflict exists between otters and humans, because of poverty and recent increases in aquaculture activities leading to indiscriminate killing of otters.

Species is illegally utilized in wildlife trade.

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Like other otters, smooth-coated otters are trapped for fur. Although not as luxurious as its North American cousin, the river otter, or the sea otter, the pelage of smooth-coated otters is used for garments, adornments, and other items. Trained smooth-coated otters are used by fisherman to herd fish into nets. (Hussain, No Date)

body parts are source of valuable materials

Poaching for pelt and other body parts that are believed to possess therapeutic properties. Few nomadic hunting tribes eat otter flesh.

At least as important is the present-day use of otter body parts in traditional medicine, in countries of south-east Asia and in China. A dried otter penis fetches US$40–50 (presumably without the baculum), and other parts are used as well. In India the blood of the smooth otter is used against epilepsy: it is collected in a clean vessel, a cloth is soaked in it and dried. When needed, a patient soaks the cloth in a glass of water and takes the fluid three times daily for 3 days. If fresh blood is available, then only once per day for 3 days will suffice (Nagulu et al. 1999).

In former times, this species was widely employed throughout its range by fishermen, with trained animals being highly valued.

In Asia, trained smooth otters are commonly used to help with fishing, especially in Bangladesh (Feeroz 2004; Hendrichs 1975). In the Sundarbans, small fishing boats go out at night, carrying three people and special nets, and three otters in individual harnesses on a lead. The otters surround and chase fish into the nets. In the study by Feeroz (2004), as many as 256 different otters were involved in this artisanal fishing, the animals caught wild or specially bred.

In many countries in Asia, otters are caught and marketed for food, or for medicine, and the African trade in ‘bush meat’ often involves otters. In Europe otters were also on the menu, and from Germany I was sent a (no doubt useful) recipe for Otter aux fines herbes (Kruuk 2002). One of the reasons for the Eurasian otter’s popularity as food was the fact that it was classified as an honorary fish by the Roman Catholic Church, and could be eaten on fast days (Fridays and the six weeks before Easter). A splendid large painting by the Flemish painter Frans Snyders (1579–1657) in the Louvre shows a fish stall in the market, with an otter in pride of place.

At least as important is the present-day use of otter body parts in traditional medicine, in countries of south-east Asia and in China. A dried otter penis fetches US$40–50 (presumably without the baculum), and other parts are used as well. In India the blood of the smooth otter is used against epilepsy: it is collected in a clean vessel, a cloth is soaked in it and dried. When needed, a patient soaks the cloth in a glass of water and takes the fluid three times daily for 3 days. If fresh blood is available, then only once per day for 3 days will suffice (Nagulu et al. 1999).

However interesting, all such usage of the animals by people pales into commercial insignificance compared with the trade in their skins. Otter fur is highly prized and, although now outlawed in many western countries, there still is a roaring business elsewhere. Staggering numbers of otters have been caught over the years, different species in different countries, and (p.229) in many places to this day, they die a nasty death to feed this trade.

In a recent case of illicit trade in otter skins between India and Nepal, 665 otter skins (probably all or mostly smooth otter, originating in India) were impounded (p.230) in October 2003 (www.careforthewild.org newsstory October 2005). In and around Tibet, skins of smooth otters are used in ceremonial dress, and in 2005 in one market ‘very few of 40-odd shops did not display at least 3 or 4 full [smooth] otter skins, some up to 10 or 15’ (C. Wood, personal communication, 2005; Fig. 14.1).