‘Project Lighthouse’ to collate information on otters

A Goa-based organisation ‘Wild Otters Research’ has launched ‘Project Lighthouse’ to collate information on otters.

• The organization is roping in citizen scientists in this effort.

• According to the National Geographic Channel, Otters are mammals and are found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.

• The sea otter is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, pressured by pollution, pesticides, and conflicts with fishermen who kill them for eating their fish.

• Of the world’s 13 otter species, three are found in India: the Eurasian, the smooth-coated, and the small-clawed otter.

• Eurasian otters: Eurasian otters are found in the Himalayan range and in parts of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

• Asian small-clawed otters: These are found in the Western Ghats and around the Sunderbans in the east.

• Smooth-coated otters: These are present in all rivers other than those in the northernmost states.

• Asian small-clawed and smooth-coated otters were elevated to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in 2019.

(Source: The Mint and NGC)

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