Distribution refinement and conservation implications of smooth-coated otter (lutrogale perspicillata) in asan barrage wetland, Uttarakhand, India

The Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is a semi-aquatic carnivore widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia and is recognized as a key bioindicator of freshwater ecosystem health. Despite its broad distribution, site-specific records from several Himalayan foothill wetlands remain limited. The present study documents a baseline observation of (L. perspicillata) from Asan Barrage Wetland, Uttarakhand, India (30.4338473°N, 77.6726059°E), recorded during a biodiversity baseline survey on 31 December 2023. A solitary individual was observed exhibiting typical foraging behaviour, including swimming, diving, and surfacing within shallow water zones along riparian vegetation. Asan Barrage, a Ramsar site, is situated where the Asan and Yamuna rivers merge, and it harbors heterogeneous wetland habitats, which are favorable for aquatic life. Although this species is known to inhabit riverine ecosystems in Uttarakhand, documentation of this species from this wetland was lacking. This record is important in providing baseline data on the species, and it also underscores the importance of this wetland as a potential habitat for Smooth-coated Otters. In light of rising anthropogenic influences such as habitat alteration, tourism, and water pollution in freshwater ecosystems, this study reiterates the importance of conserving this species and its habitat, which is crucial in wetlands of the Himalayan foothills, and L. perspicillata acts as a flagship species for freshwater conservation in this region.