Smooth-coated Otters Spotted In Madiramakka Cheruvu, Penphad Mandal

Nalgonda: The smooth-coated otter, which is listed as vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, was spotted at Madiramakka cheruvu in Dharmapuram in Penphad mandal of Suryapet district.

Forest officials said the otters might have reached the Madiramakka irrigation tank via the Nagarjunasagar Left Canal as the mammals were previously found in the Nagarjunasagar Project in the area. The species is classified as endangered by the IUCN.

A few years ago, a large number of smooth-coated otters were spotted at a local irrigation tank at Gundlapally in the district. Locals call them ‘water dogs’. Fishermen previously believed that the animals would consume large amounts of fish and affect their livelihood, which led to their killing.

Forest range officer K. Aditya said residents and fishermen have been advised not to harm the otters. He said the misconception persists among some people that mammals, often called water dogs, will bite like dogs if pursued. He added that the situation was reported to senior officials of the forest department.