In a promising turn of events, the elusive Eurasian otter has made an unexpected return to the Gurez Valley in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, a region where the species had nearly vanished in recent decades. Once believed to be on the brink of extinction in the area, recent sightings suggest a potential resurgence and point to an improving aquatic ecosystem.
The breakthrough comes from camera traps set by the local wildlife department along the Kishanganga River near Dawar Tehsil, where images of the otters were recently captured. While the presence of Eurasian otters in the region had been suspected, these new visual confirmations mark a rare and significant moment for conservationists.
Earlier, in August 2023, a research project focusing on the Kashmir musk deer inadvertently captured two Eurasian otters on camera near Tarbal, a location close to the Line of Control. Wildlife experts have long recognized the area’s potential habitat for otters, but sightings remained sporadic and difficult to document.
Intesaar Suhail, Wildlife Warden for North Kashmir, noted that while this isn’t the first evidence of the otter’s presence, it is a key moment for the valley. In 2023, a collaborative study by SKUAST-Kashmir and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) recorded the species in the same area, reaffirming the significance of these findings.
Historically, Eurasian otters were common in Kashmir, thriving in the region’s rich aquatic environments. However, over the past 20-25 years, their numbers dwindled due to habitat destruction and pollution. Intesaar expressed hope that this recent resurgence may indicate a broader recovery, pointing out that there have been multiple reports of otter sightings across Kashmir in recent years. The species was also seen in Ladakh 10-15 years ago, suggesting their habitat range may be more extensive than previously realized.
This rediscovery of Eurasian otters in Gurez is particularly meaningful, not only due to their rarity but also for the positive implications it carries for the region’s ecosystem. Their presence is considered an encouraging sign of ecological health, raising hopes for future conservation efforts.
Once widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent in various freshwater habitats, Eurasian otters have faced significant threats from habitat loss, pollution, and human disturbances. Currently listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List, these otters’ continued survival in the Himalayas is closely linked to ongoing conservation initiatives that aim to protect their natural habitats.
