Eurasian Otters Reappear in Kashmir After Decades

Once thought extinct in Kashmir, Eurasian otters (locally known as Vuder) have been sighted in the past three years in Gurez, Srigufwara, and Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, indicating a revival of aquatic habitats.

  • In June 2025, villagers in Srigufwara mistook an otter for a crocodile. Wildlife officials confirmed the sighting using camera traps along the Lider River.
  • These otters prefer cold, freshwater ecosystems. The first confirmed sighting was in Tarabal, Gurez, followed by sightings in Dawar (Gurez) and now across South Kashmir.
  • Experts say these sightings reflect improved water flow and reduced human interference in areas like Gurez, where otters now ....
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