Hi everyone!

This week, I will continue with the Asian small-clawed otters.

Asian small-clawed otters

Similar to smooth-coated otters, Asian small-clawed otters are also categorised under vulnerable.

 However, they have a criteria of A2acde, with the additional letter “a”. 

To quote the Red List Guidelines, the small-clawed otters have a population reduction observed, estimated, inferred or suspected of more than or equal to 30% where the cause of reduction may not have ceased or may not be understood or may not be reversible.

This is based on

• a) direct observation (new) 
• c) a decline in area of occupancy (AOO), extent of occurrence (EOO) and/or habitat quality, 

• d) actual or potential level of exploitations and
• e) effect of introduced taxa, hybridisation, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites.

Other than a), everything else is exactly similar to that of the smooth-coated otters.

The threats faced by Asian small-clawed otters are largely similar to the threats faced by the smooth-coated otters. However, a greater emphasis seemed to be placed on poaching. The IUCN Red list (2014)  cited that the threat of poaching is significant in Southeast Asian countries as well as some parts of India where they are being poached for their fur.

Although the population of small-clawed otters is relatively small in Singapore , it is reassuring to know that Singapore does not have a really serious poaching issue. Well, at least not that I am aware of. Please comment below if you disagree.

Conclusion

The IUCN Red List has definitely been helpful as I get to see the general threats, conservative actions and more.

Overall, the otters in Singapore, albeit the smooth-coated ones or the Asian small clawed otters, are relatively “safer” in Singapore as they face less threats and the threats that they do face are not as serious as they are in other countries, which is heartening to hear. However, the outlook for the global smooth-coated otters seems uninspiring. Nonetheless, I still believe that there could still be a hope. If a revival of the otter population in Singapore is possible, I am sure other countries could follow suit.

Fun Fact

Before I end, I will like to present an observation that I find particularly interesting when I was doing this blog.

In the IUCN Red List, Singapore was not listed as one of the native countries of the smooth-coated otters. This goes against what I already know as both Singapore Red Data Book as well the N-Park website which listed the smooth-coated otters as a native species of Singapore. On the other hand, the Asian small-clawed otters are listed as a native species of Singapore. This raises the question as to whether the current smooth-coated otters are actually an invasive species or are they native species.(You can head over to Li Xuan’s blog to learn more about invasive species .)  Was it a mistake on the part of the IUCN Red List or N-parks? What do you think?

In addition, it is good to note that the last update for the smooth-coated otter was in June 2014, which was 6 years ago. 

References

de Silva, P., Khan, W.A., Kanchanasaka, B., Reza Lubis, I., Feeroz, M.M. & Al-Sheikhly, O.F. 2015. Lutrogale perspicillata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T12427A21934884. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T12427A21934884.en.

Wright, L., de Silva, P., Chan, B. & Reza Lubis, I. 2015. Aonyx cinereus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T44166A21939068. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T44166A21939068.en.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/redlistguidelines