Rediscovery of the Asian Small-Clawed Otter in Nepal After 185 Years
For the first time in 185 years, scientists have confirmed the presence of the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) in Nepal, a discovery that has thrilled conservationists and researchers who have long speculated about the species’ existence in the region.
The last documented sighting of this otter species in Nepal was in 1839, but this new confirmation puts to rest years of uncertainty.
“After many years of speculation, we are now able to confirm that the small-clawed otter still inhabits Nepal,” said Mohan Bikram Shrestha, the lead author of a report published in the latest issue of the Otter Specialist Group’s Bulletin from the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
While three otter species were historically believed to inhabit Nepal, modern research has only officially recognized the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) and the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). The small-clawed otter was often rumored to exist in places like Makalu Barun National Park and the Kailali and Kapilvastu districts, but it was never verified until now.
The breakthrough came in November when forestry officials in Dadeldhura district, on Nepal’s western border with India, discovered a juvenile small-clawed otter at the meeting point of the Rangun and Puntara rivers. The otter, found in a fragile state, was nursed back to health by the forest officers. Initially unaware of its species, they later confirmed it was a small-clawed otter after sharing images and videos with the IUCN Otter Specialist Group.
This discovery follows the first confirmed sighting of the species in 2022 in Darjeeling, India, a region that shares similar terrain to eastern Nepal. “After the Darjeeling discovery, we kept an eye out in eastern Nepal, but the species showed up in the west instead,” Shrestha explained.
Though there have been unconfirmed reports of the otter in eastern Nepal, this marked the first verified encounter.
The Asian small-clawed otter is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, with its range spanning from Indonesia to Nepal. This discovery adds to the growing body of research on Nepal’s otters, including the Eurasian otter, which was rediscovered in 2021 after decades of no confirmed sightings.
“We hope the confirmed presence of the small-clawed otter will encourage more sightings,” Shrestha added.
Another positive sign is the recent reappearance of smooth-coated otters in Chitwan National Park after a 20-year absence. In September 2023, their return prompted renewed calls for in-depth research on these otters, a positive shift in Nepal’s otter conservation efforts.
“This is a monumental discovery,” said Sanjan Thapa, deputy coordinator of the Himalayan region for the Otter Specialist Group. “We had long suspected the species might still be in Nepal, but this is the concrete evidence we needed.”
However, this discovery also highlights the challenges faced by Nepal’s otters, especially regarding the degradation of their habitats. As the country prepares to implement an action plan for otter conservation, the newly confirmed species will be added to the policy agenda.
Currently, the Eurasian and smooth-coated otters are protected under Nepal’s Aquatic Animal Protection Act, but the small-clawed otter is not yet on the list. The first step will be to include this species in the legislation.
Nepal’s rivers have faced severe environmental degradation, from sewage dumping and industrial waste to pesticide runoff and urbanization, all of which have harmed otter populations and their ecosystems. Furthermore, unsustainable fishing practices and damming of rivers have reduced food sources for these otters.
“We hope that the new action plan will address these issues,” Thapa said.