Status of Otters in Nepal: A Link with Ancient Waterways and People

Jha, Rohit Raj; Silwal, Thakur; Yoxon, Grace; Shahi, Kabindra; Nepali, Harisharan; Joshi, Aashish Kumar

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-36275-1_20

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…All 18 gharials in 2017 and 19 gharials in 2019 were found in the protected stretches of the Karnali and Babai. However, the stretch of the Karnali (30 km, both banks) outside the jurisdiction of BNP is characterized by high levels of human threats, already well documented for endangered river dolphins ( Platansita gangetica gangetica ; Khanal et al, 2016; Paudel et al, 2016; Khatiwada, Chalise & Sharma, 2019; Shah et al, 2020) and smooth‐coated otters ( Lutrogale perspicillata ; Jha, 2018; Bashyal & Yadav, 2020; Jha et al, 2020). The multiple threats in the unprotected stretch of the Karnali (where no gharial were observed) may explain the absence of gharial from this stretch of the Karnali.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) in Bardiya National Park, Nepal: Population, habitat and threats

Bashyal

Shrestha

Luitel

et al. 2021

Aquatic Conservation

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The Critically Endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) residing within Bardiya National Park (BNP) in Nepal constitutes the sixth major sub‐population of this unique lineage; however, this population is not well studied. A 46 km protected stretch of the Babai River and a 60 km stretch of the Karnali River in and around BNP were surveyed for gharials in early 2017 and in 2019. Gharial counts in 2017 – 17 from the Babai and one from the Karnali rivers – consisted of 10 adults, five sub‐adults and three juveniles. In 2019, 19 gharials were counted – 18 for the Babai and one for the Karnali – comprising 11 adults, six sub‐adults and two juveniles. In the Babai River within BNP, four breeding groups were identified. Gharials in BNP prefer sandy vs. rocky banks for basking and completely avoid sand‐grass and clay banks. Habitat preference did not vary with size class. Protected stretches of both rivers inside BNP (76 km) have resident gharial, intact habitats and few human threats. In contrast, the unprotected stretch of the Karnali (30 km) is threatened by boulder quarrying, sand mining and unlicensed fishing, and is avoided by gharials despite the availability of habitat. This study established baseline data, including indices of population size, distribution and habitat preferences, and documented resident gharials that are breeding in the Babai River in BNP. The conservation of this Babai population is crucial for the species’ survival in BNP. Based on this study, we recommend the following conservation actions on the Babai stretch: (a) determine hatching success; (b) assess juvenile recruitment; (c) consider supplementation by releasing captives; (d) study riverine features important as baselines; (e) accommodate upstream movements on the protected Babai stretch; and (f) protect the downstream Babai outside the boundary of the BNP.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) in Bardiya National Park, Nepal: Population, habitat and threats

Bashyal

Shrestha

Luitel

et al. 2021

Aquatic Conservation

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“…The species is classified as 'Near Threatened' (Loy et al 2022) on the IUCN Red List and is listed in Appendix I of CITES (CITES 2023). The species became extinct in Japan in 1979 (Roos et al 2015;Waku et al 2016) and its populations in Europe and developing Asian countries have drastically declined in recent years (Balestrieri et al 2016;Jha et al 2020). The species is still hunted for their pelt, food, sport, and persecuted as a pest in many Asian countries, particularly China, India, and Nepal (Gomez et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the occurrence of Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Neeru stream of Chenab catchment, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Singh

Thakar²,

Sharma³

2023

J. Threat. Taxa

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This communication reports the first photographic record of Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra in a hill stream in Jammu & Kashmir, putting an end to doubts over its presence in the upper Chenab catchment. Three individuals were photographed during a limited camera trap survey conducted in Neeru stream, a left bank tributary of river Chenab during mid-October 2020. We argue that rapid human population influx, infrastructure expansion, and pollution have altered the hydro morphology of Neeru stream, affecting the otter population. This observation calls for more intensive otter surveys in the nearby smaller basins of Neeru, Kalnai, & Sewa and other large tributaries of Chenab River, combining occupancy surveys with camera traps for improved conservation and management of the species in the region.

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Human pressures constrain Eurasian otter occurrence in semiarid Northern Africa

et al. 2022

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Populations inhabiting the periphery of species distribution ranges may experience suboptimal environmental conditions and higher vulnerability to anthropogenic pressures. Disentangling the role of natural and human-related factors and the relationships among them in these marginal areas is thus key to understand and prevent species declines and range reductions. We analysed Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) occurrence patterns in relation to anthropogenic pressures and natural environmental gradients in Morocco, an area constituting the arid limit of the species’ global range. The probability of otter occurrence was higher as terrain ruggedness increased and at intermediate elevations, and lower in catchments exposed to higher anthropogenic pressures. Otters tended to be rare at higher elevations and in areas with less annual precipitation, probably as a result of trophic resource limitations and large water flow fluctuations, respectively. A combination of natural and anthropogenic factors, both at drainage area and local scales, was needed to understand the current occurrence of the species. Our study highlights a need for urgent action to conserve the Eurasian otter in northern Africa, where freshwater ecosystems and their associated biodiversity are threatened by rapid human development in areas of marginal climatic conditions.

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Status of Otters in Nepal: A Link with Ancient Waterways and People

Cited by 3 publications

References 10 publications

Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) in Bardiya National Park, Nepal: Population, habitat and threats

Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) in Bardiya National Park, Nepal: Population, habitat and threats

On the occurrence of Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Neeru stream of Chenab catchment, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Human pressures constrain Eurasian otter occurrence in semiarid Northern Africa

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