Asian Small-Clawed Otter Husbandry Manual (1998)

Conservation Priorities1. A basic research and conservation program is needed to learn more about this otter's status,distribution and ecological requirements on Palawan.2. Stricter protection is needed, including the designation of riparian reserves as otter havens.SingaporeThe, Asian small-clawed otter, the smooth otter, and the hairynosed otter once probably occurred inSingapore. Nearby Peninsular Malaysia has good populations of the Asian small-clawed otter andsmooth otter, but all species of otter in Singapore are now believed to be extirpated.South KoreaSpecies PresentEurasian otterStatus and DistributionEndangered. Once found in rivers, lakes, and estuaries throughout the country, except for Chung Namprovince, but now rarely occurs anywhere. There are captive specimens in Kumgang Zoo (Busan), theForestry Research Institute, and Kyeong Hee University (Seoul).Legal StatusProtected by the Cultural Properties Management Law, as a Natural Monument (Number 330). Anyperson who has illegally captured this species is liable to be sentenced to at least two years in prison.ThreatsNo detailed information, though habitat loss is believed to be a severe problem.Conservation Priorities1. Conservation of the natural environment of otters and protection from artificial destruction.2. Environmental Impact Assessment studies are needed where water flow is to be altered by largescaleconstruction of dams and roads.3. Research needed for captive breeding efforts.SriLankaSpecies PresentEurasian otterStatus and DistributionOtters once were commonly observed throughout Sri Lanka in a variety of habitats including streams,rivers, lakes, lagoons, and paddyfields. Although in smaller numbers now, otters are, still found in all themajor river systems, from the brackish water estuaries to the headwaters at altitudes over 2,000 in. Asthe lowland dry zones are receiving increasing human pressures, the mountainous areas may provide theremaining safe havens for otters.Asian Small-Clawed Otter Husbandry Manual/Action Plan81