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Smooth-coated otter
ऊदबिलाव (udbilav)
A river otter that hunts in family groups of up to a dozen, herding fish into the shallows. Its coat is noticeably short and sleek, and it is far noisier than people expect.
👀 How to recognise it
Listen for sharp whistling calls, then look for a line of heads crossing the current together. Early morning and late afternoon on quiet stretches away from boats.
Protection
Schedule I, Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
Where to see it
Mysore
On the Kaveri the smooth-coated otter is one of the animals the Ranganathittu boatmen know best.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (often) · Balmuri & Edmuri Falls
Agra
In the Chambal, fish make up about 94 per cent of the diet of otters, gharials and muggers alike, yet a radio-tracking study in the sanctuary recorded little conflict between them and twice saw a male otter chase off a large gharial.
National Chambal Sanctuary (in season)
Hampi
India's first otter conservation reserve was declared on the Tungabhadra, and it also protects soft-shell turtles. It runs from Koppal district to Kampli and takes in the Hampi heritage stretch, so the river you see from the ruins is a protected river.
Sanapur Lake · Tungabhadra Dam & Gardens