Tucked away in the mangroves of Chorão Island in India, smooth-coated otters are restoring balance to the ecosystem. They usually inhabit freshwater bodies, but this population has embedded their presence among people in the estuarine community. Katrina Fernandez is uncovering the influence humans have on these animals. “City planning rarely takes into account how urban ecology is a part of these spaces,” she says. As a member of the IUCN Otter Specialist Group and director of Wild Otters Research, she is carving a future for otters in developed areas.
India is one of the world's most densely populated countries and as construction expands, it encroaches on natural habitats. “Human development is going to continue no matter what, and at some point possibly we will drive otters out of these areas,” Fernandez says. Agriculture and aquaculture have a significant role in the island’s economy, and people once constructed bunds here to protect fields from tidal waves. Made of mud and straw, these bunds separated the main river from fishing pools, and were used by the otters as a gateway to their hunting areas. But in recent years, the maintenance of the bunds has dwindled. “There is not enough labour to continue doing this manually,” Fernandez says. Instead, high concrete walls have been built as a replacement. Ever since, there has been no otter activity in this section of the island. “These retaining walls are completely steep so there is no way for them to climb up,” Fernandez says.
While many fishermen view otters as competition for fish, Fernandez sees this as an opportunity to educate people on the importance of their presence. In 1952, tilapia was introduced in India, and the invasive fish species has taken over the ecology. Fernandez highlights the beneficial role of otters as they feed on tilapia and give indigenous species a chance to recover. “Otters are crucial to their habitats because they help maintain an ecosystem,” she says. It is therefore even more essential to assess how local wildlife impacts regions like Chorão Island. “The dream is that at some point we will have enough data, enough evidence to be able to influence policy and decision,” Fernandez says.
By understanding the elements that support otters and their habitat, people can adapt to sustain their communities and the environment. “We cannot separate ourselves from this. We’re a part of the ecosystem,” Fernandez says. “It sustains us and it’s important to reinforce that.”
You can contribute to Katrina Fernandez’s work here.
Footage and images by Wild Otters Research and Atul Borker were used in the creation of this film.
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