Eurasian Otter : Discovered
A team of researchers recently discovered a Eurasian otter in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki, a first in Kerala.
- Eurasian Otter is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal native to Eurasia.
- Scientific Name: Lutra lutra
- It has one of the widest distributions of all Palearctic mammals, from Ireland to China and down to Southeast Asia.
- It lives throughout Europe, North Africa, and Asia.
- It inhabits streams, rivers, lakes, freshwater and peat swamp forests, ocean shores, rice fields, fjords, caves, and other terrestrial habitats close by waterways.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN: Near threatened
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II
- CITES: Appendix I
