Photo: Shivaram Subramaniam.The study focused on the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra, the hairy-nosed otter Lutra sumatrana, the small-clawed otter Aonyx cinereus and the smooth-coated otter Lutrogale perspicillata - all of which are threatened. These species are hunted for their coats as well as for the pet-trade, especially in Southeast Asia. The researchers had a difficult time because data was scarce, and because seized skins could not be identified down to the subspecies level. As Dr Chris R. Shepherd, Regional Director of TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia, said, “Very little effort has been made in the past to tackle the illegal trade in otters here in Southeast Asia, largely due to ignorance of the situation and an overall lack of concern for ‘low-profile species'."
The researchers concluded that “the illegal otter trade is persistent and largely unchecked, despite otter species being protected across their ranges". However, in a paradoxical situation, although the frequency of seizure of otter skins seizures has increased over the years, the quantity of skins has decreased. Researchers find this trend more worrisome, as otters are popular pets in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, and the pet trade is fuelled by illegal trafficking.
The report makes some recommendations to curb the illegal activity, including amending national legislation to include otters as protected species, banning the possession of otters as pets and more nuanced perspectives to understand the full extent of threat that otters face.
Sources:
http://annamiticus.com/2016/07/05/asian-otters-threatened-by-alarming-rise-in-illegal-trade/
http://www.traffic.org/species-reports/traffic_species_mammals95.pdf
