A survey for smooth coated otter Lutrogale perspicillata on the river Narayani, Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) were found to inhabit specific sections of the River Narayani within Chitwan National Park, Nepal. The study, conducted in January and June 2009, identified their presence in sections 2 and 3, characterized by low current speeds, shallow waters, and secondary branches separated from the main river by sand dunes covered with Saccharum sp. These findings suggest that otters prefer such environments due to higher availability of fish and shelter during the monsoon season. The absence of otters in downstream sections was attributed to intense fishing activities and sand extraction, indicating human impacts on their distribution.

Acharya, P. M., & Lamsal, P. (2011). A survey for smooth coated otter Lutrogale perspicillata on the river Narayani, Chitwan National Park, Nepal [JB]. Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.4404/hystrix-21.2-4464