The distribution and conservation of otters in Sarawak
Otters are among the least-studied species in Malaysia, with limited knowledge concerning their ecology. Existing research has primarily focused on their distribution, and to date, no systematic studies have been conducted in Sarawak. Therefore, to improve the understanding of otter distribution an...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
Malaysian Nature Society
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/48789/3/20250715145000.pdf http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/48789/ https://mnj.my/ |
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| Summary: | Otters are among the least-studied species in Malaysia, with limited knowledge concerning their ecology. Existing research has primarily focused on their distribution, and
to date, no systematic studies have been conducted in Sarawak. Therefore, to improve the understanding of otter distribution and ecology in Sarawak, this study analysed 22 years of camera trap data collected from 1,080 camera stations across 32 sampling sites, including 27 protected areas. A total of 37 (0.04%) independent otter photos were captured, representing three species: small-clawed otter (n = 21), smooth-coated otter (n = 5), and hairy-nosed otter (n = 3). These otters were documented in mixed dipterocarp forests, beach forests, logged forest, and peat swamp forests. The small-clawed otter was observed to be
diurnal, with peak activity in the early morning. This study contributes baseline insights on otter distribution and, to some extent, their ecology in Sarawak. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, given that the data were not specifically collected to target otters. The scarcity of records highlights the need for further research and conservation efforts for otters in Malaysia. |
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