Saving the Malaysian otter from extinction
To many city dwellers, spotting an otter in the water is a sight to behold. They are admittedly adorable mammals and apparently playful creatures as well.
However, they are considered wildlife and should not be domesticated by any means. Yet, the illegal pet trade of otters continues to flourish and coupled with the destruction of their natural habitat, otters in Malaysia and across the world are under threat of extinction.
Generally found in the wetlands and coastal areas, Malaysia is home to four out of the 13 otter species: the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), as well as the hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana).
According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the hairy-nosed otter is classified globally as “endangered” and is very rare, whereas the Asian small-clawed otter and smooth-coated otter are listed as “vulnerable.”
The Eurasian otter, on the other hand, is listed as “near threatened.” And although otters are protected by law, there’s still a long way to go in terms of creating awareness and educating the public on the important role these creatures play in the country’s ecosystem. Read More...
