Why in News?

• The first photographic record of the Eurasian Otter was caught on the infrared camera along the Neeru stream in Jammu and Kashmir.

 Eurasian Otter:

• Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) is an elusive semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal species.
• The Eurasian Otter has one of the widest distributions as its range covers three continents (Europe, Asia and Africa).
• In India, Eurasian otters are found across the northern, northeast and southern parts of India.
• The Eurasian Otters have short limbs, brown fur, and sensitive whiskers near the snout that help detect prey.
• They also have webbed feet and claws and the ability to close the small ears and the nose when underwater which has helped them adapt to an aquatic lifestyle.
• Eurasian Otters are usually nocturnal in nature and can be found near freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, and swamp forests.
• The diet of Eurasian Otters includes fish, crustaceans, amphibians, birds, eggs, insects and worms.
• Eurasian Otter is regarded as a flagship species and an indicator of high-quality aquatic habitats.

Conservation status:

• IUCN RedList: Near threatened
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II
• CITES: Appendix I

Neeru stream:

• Neeru river is located in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Neeru stream is a tributary of the Chenab river.
• Neeru is a 30-km perennial stream that originates in the Kailash Lake at 3,900 metres above mean sea level and drains into the Chenab at Pul-Doda in the Doda district.
• The presence of Eurasian Otters is encouraging for the health of the Neeru stream.