Eurasian Otters in Kashmir Valley

• 10 Feb 2025

Source: BL 

Eurasian otters have been spotted in Gurez Valley (Kashmir) with the first live documentation in 25 years. 

• It was spotted feasting on fish in the Kishanganga River (Originating from Krishansar lake, Ganderbal district (J&K).  
  • The river flows northwards through the Tulail and Gurez Valleys of Kashmir before entering PoK. 
• About Eurasian Otters:  
  • About: Otters are members of the mammalian family called Mustelidae and inhabit both marine and freshwater. 
    • In J&K, they are locally known as Vodur and help maintain aquatic ecosystem health. 
    • Otters are mainly active around dawn and dusk (crepuscular). 
  • Habitat: Found in the Himalayas, northeast India, and Western Ghats. 
  • Carnivorous Diet: Feeds on fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and sometimes reptiles, birds, eggs, insects, and worms. 
  • Conservation Status: Near threatened (IUCN), Schedule I (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972), Appendix I (CITES). 
  • Other Otter Species in India: Smooth-coated Otter (throughout India), and Small-clawed Otter (Himalayas and southern India). 

Read More: Fishing Cat and Otters