Otter threat lurks on Kottayam’s riverbanks

The threat from large reptiles like crocodiles is well known, but as residents across Kottayam are now discovering, danger in the water isn’t always measured by size.

The number of otters in the Meenachil river and its tributaries has reached alarming proportions, instilling fear among those living along the banks. With an increasing number of otter bite incidents being reported, residents are now urging the government to take immediate steps to control their population.

Most affected areas

The situation is especially dire in regions such as Vijayapuram, Kumarakom, Aymanam, Arpookkara, Thiruvathukkal, Kottayam town, and Thazhathangadi. A recent incident in Velur near Kottayam has brought the issue into stark focus. Nisani, 53, wife of Ibrahimkutty from Kalayamkary, Panampady in Velur, died after being bitten by a large otter while washing clothes near her home. Although her death is suspected to have been caused by a heart attack following an anti-rabies injection, the incident has left riverside residents terrified. Since then, routine activities like washing clothes or utensils in the river have become fraught with fear.

Beyond posing a danger to human safety, the ballooning otter population has wreaked havoc on local fish farmers. Despite installing protective nets around their ponds, farmers report significant losses as otters, often attacking in groups, breach defences and consume large quantities of fish.

Once a rare sight, otters are now commonly seen navigating the waterways, particularly in stretches between Poovathumood and Vattamood bridges and around Parampuzha. Forest officials have also confirmed an increase in otter activity along the Meenachil river and nearby streams, especially during the animals’ breeding season when they become more aggressive.

Why population surge

The otter is classified as a “vulnerable” species on the IUCN Red List, making poaching a punishable offense.

According to experts, the rise in otter populations across riverine systems can largely be attributed to the absence of natural predators. “Until around 2000, hunting groups from Andhra Pradesh would visit Kerala’s waterbodies in search of otters. But with the tightening of wildlife conservation laws, that practice came to an abrupt end,” noted A. Jaison, former head of Wildlife Biology at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI).

‘Most practical solution’

Otters inhabit rivers with dense bankside vegetation, marshes, and rocky areas. While manipulation of habitats could serve as a temporary deterrent, Dr. Jaison recommends trapping as the only currently viable option for population control. “Capturing and relocating the animals might be the most practical solution,” he said.

Aby Iype, district general secretary of the Karshaka Congress, has urged the government to officially classify otters as vermin. “The otter menace is a serious threat not just to human life, but also to the livelihoods of those involved in aquaculture,” he pointed out.