Guardians of the River

Saving India’s Elusive Otters

Steven Moss, a British naturalist, once called the otter “the elusive movie-star”. The apex predator of river and stream ecosystems in India, the otter is a charismatic and reclusive mammal that has evolved over millennia to adapt brilliantly to its habitat. And yet, today, the three species of otters found in India are in a vulnerable spot, with declining habitat and increasing demand for water placing critical constraints on their continued survival.

In this talk, Gopakumar Menon will make a case for their protection and, thereby, the larger case for the preservation of their riparian habitat.

The talk will be followed by a panel discussion with conservationist Praneet Goteti and a Q&A session with the audience.