Otter may be next in line for extinction

BOGOR, West Java (JP): Experts warn that otters, the fish eating mammals widely resented by fish breeders, may join the list of extinct animals soon unless steps are taken to protect them.

Speakers at a seminar to discuss the fate of otters, the first of its kind in Indonesia, agree, despite the absence of proper research, that the population of otters in West Java has declined rapidly.

"We don't know for sure how many otters there are living in the wild. But any layman knows that the otter population has declined, especially in densely populated areas like Java Island," Sutisna Wartapura, the director general for the protection of forestry and natural resources, said while opening the symposium.

"If we take a stroll in the Cipanas area in West Java and ask the local people if there are any otters in the area, the people are likely to say that sure there are, but they are no longer visible because their traditional habitat has been converted into residential areas," Sutisna said.

Sutisna agreed with the proposal to save the otter population from becoming extinct. "It would be unwise if we only paid attention to their fate when they became an exceedingly rare species."

The symposium is organized by the Asian Wetland Bureau which is launching a survey on the otter population in West Java.

Roland Melisch of the Bureau explained that there were misconceptions among many people that all otters are fish predators.

The only type of otters which eat fish are those that live along the coasts, in mangroves and undisturbed habitats.

"The main foods of the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea) is small crabs and snails. While the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) eats fish and rats," Melisch said.

In Indonesia, smooth-coated otters are found in places far from human habitats such as Ujung Kulon and Pamanukan, and therefore cannot be considered as pests to people, he said.

The small-clawed otter usually gets along well with humans, he added.

Other speakers suggested that otters be put in the category of endangered species to prevent them from becoming extinct. (01)