A trio of scientists from the University of Jammu’s Institute of Mountain Environment (IME) at Bhaderwah camera trapped three Eurasian otters – two adults and one subadult – in the Neeru stream of the Chenab catchment in Jammu & Kashmir.
Key Facts regarding Eurasian Otter:
- IUCN status – Nearly threatened
- Species recovery score – 40
- Habitat – Terrestrial + Freshwater + Marine areas (Forest, Shrubland, Grassland, Wetlands (inland), Marine Neritic, Marine Intertidal, Marine Coastal/Supratidal, Artificial/Aquatic & Marine)
- Threats: Residential and commercial development, Agriculture and aquaculture, Transportation, pollution and climate change.
Global distribution of Eurasian Otter
Note: Neeru is a 30km perennial stream that originates in the Kailash Lake at 3,900 metres above mean sea level and drains into the Chenab at PulDoda. The Gupt Ganga temple (The historic Shiv temple, which is entirely composed of stone slabs) of Bhaderwah is located on the bank of this river.
