Smooth-coated otters spotted on Godavari island
An island within the Godavari, upstream Dowleswaram barrage in East Godavari district, has change into a secure habitat for weak Indian smooth-coated Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata).
Last week, an beginner wildlife photographer from Rajamahendravaram metropolis, Suresh Kumar Uppuluri, started documenting the actions of the otters on the island.
“I have documented a group of four otters on the island that can only be reached by boat. The otters are a playful lot and hide in the bushes whenever they sense movements of the boat,” mentioned Mr. Suresh Kumar.
“Over the past one week, I have been able to capture photographs of the four otters that appear to be young. The island, located at least one km upstream the Dowleswaram barrage, is always calm with no movements of outsiders,” Mr. Suresh Kumar added.
On being knowledgeable by native fishermen, the 40-year-old lensman managed to sight the otters and started the documentation.
“The movements of the otters are more frequent in the river water during the morning compared to the rest of the day,” he mentioned. In the islands downstream Dowleswaram barrage, scores of black bucks have been sighted lately.
Habitations
In East Godavari district, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) is a habitat for the Indian smooth-coated otter. The sighting of otters within the Dowleswaram space is trigger for celebration for the wildlife photographers and the Forest Department that had huge expertise in conservation of otters in KWS.
In Andhra Pradesh, Krishna and Godavari estuaries are the prime habitats of otters which have been sighted and documented by the wildlife wing of the Forest Department.