For nearly two centuries, one of the world’s most elusive animals seemed to have vanished from Nepal’s wilderness. The Asian small-clawed otter, officially classified as vulnerable, hadn’t been credibly spotted in the country since 1839.
As the world’s smallest otter species, it held a curious place in regional folklore and environmental studies, but any hope of confirming its survival in Nepal had long faded — until a chance encounter late last year changed everything.
In November, forestry officials in Nepal stumbled upon a juvenile otter in distress at the junction where two rivers meet. Injured and fragile, the tiny creature was found at the confluence of the Rangun Khola and Puntara Khola rivers in the far western reaches of the country, an area that sees daily life bustle along its banks with sand miners, fishermen, and villagers washing clothes or bathing in the cool waters after the monsoon rains.
At first, the local officials had no idea that their discovery was anything out of the ordinary. “As it was found in a fragile and injured state, the forest officers decided to feed and nurse it, but they didn’t know which species it belonged to,” explained Mohan Bikram Shrestha, lead author of a field note documenting the event, in an interview with Mongabay.
A Landmark Rediscovery
After taking images of the animal, the forestry team, led by officer Rajeev Chaudhary, sent them to regional scientists and conservation experts for identification. To their astonishment, the experts confirmed the young otter as the long-missing Asian small-clawed otter — a species that hadn’t been seen in Nepal in 185 years.
“The sighting of an Asian small-clawed otter after 185 years is a remarkable discovery for conservation in Nepal, ending concerns that the species may have been extinct in the country,” noted the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Otter Specialist Group in a statement.
The rediscovery immediately reignited interest in the species’ fate and underscored the importance of habitat monitoring and biodiversity conservation in the region.
About the Asian Small-Clawed Otter
Measuring between 28.6 and 37.6 inches in length and weighing up to 7.7 pounds, the Asian small-clawed otter is the tiniest member of the Lutrinae subfamily. Its name comes from its notably short claws, which do not extend beyond the pads of its webbed feet — a physical trait that distinguishes it from other otter species. Though occasional, unconfirmed reports had placed it in Nepal’s Makalu Barun National Park, none were verified until this discovery.
Otters are known for their remarkable resilience and adaptability. “Otters are resilient to highly modified anthropogenic landscapes, flexible in habitat selection, and able to recover from low numbers,” the Otter Specialist Group’s note added.
However, despite these advantages, the group stressed that timely and coordinated conservation action is essential to ensure this critically important aquatic species doesn’t disappear again from Nepal’s ecosystems.
A Call to Action for Conservation
As a keystone aquatic mesocarnivore, the Asian small-clawed otter plays a vital role in maintaining healthy freshwater ecosystems. Its presence indicates a balanced aquatic environment, and its disappearance could signal deeper environmental imbalances. The rediscovery highlights both a hopeful opportunity and a sobering reminder of how easily such unique species can slip through the cracks of human oversight.
“The sighting highlights the need for detailed study of the status of this species in Nepal and urgent implementation of conservation initiatives,” the IUCN group urged.
Moving forward, conservationists hope to assess the health of Nepal’s river systems, monitor potential otter habitats, and develop action plans to protect both the Asian small-clawed otter and the waterways it depends on. With increasing threats from habitat degradation, pollution, and human encroachment, these efforts are now more critical than ever.
What began as a routine wildlife rescue could very well mark the beginning of a new chapter for otter conservation in Nepal. With focused effort and international cooperation, experts believe there’s a real chance to not only protect but also help this species thrive once again in the country’s riverine landscapes.
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