World's smallest otter once thought to be extinct, rediscovered after 186 years in Nepal

Asian small-clawed otter (Image: Rajeev Chaudhary/IUCN)

For nearly 200 years, the Asian small-clawed otter had seemingly been extinct. No sightings had ever been confirmed since 1839 in Nepal. In November, a subadult otter was found by forest officials near where a river split into three forks. They had no suspicion that it belonged to a long-thought-to-be extinct subspecies.

Surprise Discovery Along the Nepalese Rivers

The otter that was injured was found by forestry officials at the junction of two rivers. Miners, swimmers, and fishermen hold the Rangun Khola and Puntara Khola in western Nepal. Officials decided to look after the frail otter after spotting it. Though they provided it food, they did not know its species.

For confirmation, they sent photographs to local experts. It was soon identified by experts as the Asian small-clawed otter. It has been 185 years since the last reported sighting of the vulnerable species in Nepal. The sighting was confirmed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

An Appeal for Conservation Action

The Asian small-clawed otter is the world's smallest otter species. It weighs about 7.7 pounds and can grow up to 37.6 inches in length. The only component of its small claws is its webbed foot pads. Makalu Barun National Park has had occasional records of it.

Specialists say that otters can survive in habitats that have been altered by humans. Conservation action is now needed, however. The IUCN Otter Specialist Group requested research on the condition of the otter. In their note, they stated, "A timely conservation effort is needed."

Nepal now has a chance to salvage the species due to this rare rediscovery. Conservationists are demanding urgent action to ensure the otter's survival.