The Otter Story | Evolve Back Kabini

It was a misty scene in Kabini when we sailed for the morning safari. Even before the sun peeped on the horizon the silhouettes of elephants on the distant bank seemed surreal. The regal beasts stepped out of their forested shrouds in all their glory and walked to the bank for a quick drink. Most of the guests in the boat looked on in amazement as the herd of five revealed itself. Until then we had feasted our eyes on some lovely birds - mostly residents. The herons, the ospreys and the darters were already enjoying their breakfast.

We sailed on discreetly, with our boat barely making waves, our naturalist whispered to the group and signalled to the lowest point of the riverbank. Sure enough we spotted a rather large mugger crocodile waking from his slumber - piercing us with a sharp. What gorgeous grey green eyes!

Just about 20 feet away up on the muddy bank we spotted some movement. As our boatman manoeuvred the vessel stealthily something began to come into view. Through our binoculars we would see a small family of the smooth coated otters playing about on what seemed to be their “share” of the land. It was the first time I had seen them in the wild and I had no reason to conceal my excitement! Our naturalist chimed in with an interesting nugget about these beautiful creatures…he said that Southeast Asia was home to Vishnu otters about 11.4 million years ago. These fairly large creatures dominated some of the major rivers of the region. Their fossils were discovered in the Himalayan foothills long ago but recently some other fossils were unearthed in Bavaria. Scientists have concluded that these otters had migrated long distances before finally going extinct.

In Celtic folklore the otter is often referred to as the “water dog” and characterised as a friendly and benevolent creature. But in ancient Persia the otter was honoured above all other animals, and a severe penalty was imposed on anyone who killed them. In Kannada they are called “Neer nai” which means roughly the same thing.

Among the three kinds of otters found in India the Smooth-coated otter is the largest. Aptly named for their smooth and short fur. They are identified by their greyish-brown colour, small eyes and ears and their flattened tails. Besides being adorable in appearance the otters have a vital role to play in the ecosystem. They keep a check on the population of other aquatic species and ensure the rivers are clean and free of pollutants. It is mandatory to conserve the rivers in order to protect the species.

As the large male in front of us burrowed his face in his tail and frowned sharply - we rushed to capture the expression with our smartphones and cameras. His family quickly slid into the river while stayed put for some time, still angry at us for rudely interrupting his siesta. Our boatman tried to inch closer when in a flash he released himself from the curled up position and darted into the river! What agility! An unassuming heron nearby leaped up in astonishment.

The afternoon rolled on and we spotted another family of otters on a peeping sand bank. Frolicking in the sun! A learned guest on the boat, who was deeply fond of otters, shared his extensive knowledge with us. These lovely creatures feed on insects, fish, birds, frogs, eggs and crustaceans. They forage in groups, typically form V-shaped romps in the water and swallow small fish whole. Highly social, these otters live in family units that consist of a breeding pair and about three or four young otters.

Back in time the fishermen of Bangladesh and other parts of East India had harnessed the intelligence and superior instincts of these unbeatable hunters. Otter fishing was a sport and a trade that showcased the unique bond between these mammals and humans. It is still in practice but in complete secrecy in a few remote villages in North East India.

Over the past few years the number of otters in the wild in India has been decreasing. Pollution of rivers, loss of habitat and pet trade are some of the primary concerns. But to focus on the positive side of things - India's first dedicated otter reserve is doing a great job! The Tungabhadra Otter Reserve Sanctuary in Karnataka sprawls 34 km and is home to the Smooth coated and the Asian small clawed otters. a haven for these mammals along the river. As the sun came to a golden goodbye on the horizon of Kabini, my heart went out to the water dogs…still swimming inquisitively over and under the gentle waves in the distance.

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