A review of otters (Carnivora: Mustelidae: Lutrinae) in Malaysia and Singapore

Abstract

Four species of otters have been recorded from Malaysia and Singapore in the past: Lutra lutra (Common or Eurasian Otter), Lutra sumatrana (Hairy-nosed Otter), Lutrogale perspicillata (Smooth Otter) and Amblonyx cinereus (Oriental Small-clawed Otter). All four are listed in the Threatened Species Categories of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals: L. lutra is designated Vulnerable and the status of the other three Asian species are Insufficiently Known due to lack of information. From a review of the available literature and collation of museum records from Malaysia and Singapore, the past status of the four species are examined. Presently, only L. perspicillata and A. cinereus are common in Peninsular Malaysia where they are widely distributed, but both are rare in Singapore. L. sumatrana is rare but apparently still found in East Malaysia. It is possible that L. lutra did not range in Malaysia this century. Information about the habitat types, group size, range, diet and behaviour for all the species is poorly known. The available information allows a discussion of the Smooth and Small-clawed Otters only. This dearth of knowledge has hampered maintenance and breeding efforts of zoos and conservation activity.

Full text

Hydrobiologia
285:
151-170,
1994.
A.
Sasekumar,
N.
Marshall
&
D.
J.
Macintosh
(eds),
Ecology
and
Conservation
of
Southeast
Asian
Marine
and
Freshwater
Environments
including
Wetlands.
©
1994
Kluwer
Academic
Publishers.
Printed
in
Belgium.
151
A
review
of
otters
(Carnivora:
Mustelidae:
Lutrinae)
in
Malaysia
and
Singapore
N.
Sivasothi
&
Burhanuddin
Hj.
Md.
Nor
2
'Department
of
Zoology,
National
University
of
Singapore,
Kent
Ridge,
Singapore
0511;
2Department
of
Wildlife
and
National
Parks,
Km
10,
Jln.
Cheras,
Kuala
Lumpur
50664,
Malaysia
Key
words:
otters,
Lutrinae,
Peninsular
Malaysia,
East
Malaysia,
Singapore,
review
Abstract
Four
species
of
otters
have
been
recorded
from
Malaysia
and
Singapore
in
the
past:
Lutra
lutra
(Common
or
Eurasian
Otter),
Lutra
sumatrana
(Hairy-nosed
Otter),
Lutrogale
perspicillata
(Smooth
Otter)
and
Amblonyx
cinereus
(Oriental
Small-clawed
Otter).
All
four
are
listed
in
the
Threatened
Species
Categories
of
the
IUCN
Red
List
of
Threatened
Animals:
L.
lutra
is
designated
'Vulnerable'
and
the
status
of
the
other
three
Asian
species
are
'Insufficiently
Known'
due
to
lack
of
information.
From
a
review
of
the
available
literature
and
collation
of
museum
records
from
Malaysia
and
Singapore,
the
past
status
of
the
four
species
are
examined.
Presently,
only
L.
perspicillata
and
A.
cinereus
are
common
in
Peninsu-
lar
Malaysia
where
they are
widely
distributed,
but
both
are
rare
in
Singapore.
L.
sumatrana
is
rare
but
apparently
still
found
in
East
Malaysia.
It
is
possible
that
L.
lutra
did
not
range
in
Malaysia
this
cen-
tury.
Information
about
the
habitat
types,
group
size,
range,
diet
and
behaviour
for
all
the
species
is
poorly
known.
The
available
information
allows
a
discussion
of
the
Smooth
and
Small-clawed
Otters
only.
This
dearth
of
knowledge
has hampered
maintenance
and
breeding
efforts
of
zoos
and
conservation
activity.
Introduction
At
the
inaugural
session
of
the
First
International
Asian
Otter
Symposium
held
at
Bangalore,
India
in
October
1988,
a
strong
plea
was
made
by
Dr
M.
K.
Ranjitsinh,
Joint
Secretary
(Wildlife)
and Director,
Wildlife
Preservation,
Government
of
India,
'...to
make
the
otter
a
symbol
of
the
wetlands'.
The
rationale
for
this,
as
outlined
in
the
International
Union
for
Conservation
of
Na-
ture
and
Natural
Resources
(IUCN)
Action
Plan
for
the
conservation
of
otters
(Foster-Turley
et
al.,
1990),
is
three-fold:
their
worldwide
distribution,
widespread
public
appeal
and
in
particular,
their
use
as
an
indicator
species
for
a
healthy
aquatic
environment.
The
last
is
a
characteristic
of
this
top
predator
which
is
sensitive
to
poor
water
quality,
toxicity
in
aquatic
food
chains
and
dis-
turbance
of
terrestrial
habitats
adjacent
to
water-
ways.
Thus the
disappearance
of
the
otter
is
often
associated
with
the degradation
of
wetland
habi-
tats.
In
Southeast
Asia,
little
research
has
focused
on
the
otter
despite
the
presence
of
four
species.
The
authors,
who
have
begun
basic
research
on
otters
recently,
surmise
the
current
state
of
knowledge
about
the otters
of
Malaysia
and
Sin-
gapore
and
highlight
gaps
in
knowledge.

152
Taxonomy
It
is
perhaps
surprising
to
note
that
in
an
animal
as
well-known
as
the
otter, the
taxonomy
has
yet
to
be
resolved
satisfactorily.
Many
synonyms
exist
in
literature
and
Harris
(1968:
290-304)
has
compiled
a
useful
list
of
these.
Two
authors
have
attempted
a
revision
of
the
Lutrinae
since
Pohle
(1919).
Davis
(1978)
did
not
use
the
usual
char-
acters
such
as
cranial
morphology
normally
used
in
mammal
taxonomy.
Although
he
introduced
the
use
of
vocalizations,
baculum
shape
and
prominence
of
prepuce
in
his
classification,
the
authors
agree
with
Van
Zyll
de
Jong
(1987:
2536;
1991:
81)
that
the use
of
these
characters
were
unsatisfactory.
Furthermore,
Davis
(1978)
re-
duced
the
number
of
extant
species
to
nine,
dis-
missing,
amongst
others,
L.
sumatrana,
without
examining
the
type
specimens,
nor
giving
reasons
for
disregarding
many
of
the
characters
previ-
ously
used
in
defining
the
species.
Unfortunately,
these
considerations
have
been
overlooked
by
some
authors
(e.g.
Chanin,
1985)
who
adopted
Davis'
classification.
A
more
exhaustive
revision
was
carried
out
by Van
Zyll
de
Jong
(1987)
who
constructed
a
phylogenetic
relationship
within
the
family
(using
861
skulls
and
65
skins
from
vari-
ous museums)
based
on
morphological
data
but
considers
it
tentative
prior
to
consideration
of
other character
sets.
The
current
taxonomic
problems
mainly
con-
cern
the
generic
status.
Amblonyx
Rafinesque,
1832
is
considered
a subgenus
of
Aonyx
Lesson,
1827,
to
which
the
species
cinereus
Illiger,
1815
belongs,
by
many
mammal
listings
(Ellerman
&
Morrison-Scott,
1951;
Honacki
et
al.,
1982;
Cor-
bet
&
Hill,
1991;
Nowak,
1991).
However
some
authors
(e.g.
Simpson,
1945;
Willemsen,
1980;
Medway,
1983;
Van
Zyll
de
Jong,
1987),
use
Am-
blonyx
as
a
full
genus.
Pocock
(1921:
541,
543)
considered
Amblonyx
sufficiently
different
from
Aonyx
based
on
the
webbing
of
the
fore
feet
and
the
facial
vibrissae.
When
Van Zyll
de
Jong
(1987)
subjected
quantitative
and
qualitative
characters
of
extant
species
of
otters
to
morphometric
and
cladistic
analyses
respectively,
the
results
indi-
cated
that
Amblonyx
and
Aonyx
are
divergent
taxa.
He
also
pointed
out
(Van Zyll
de
Jong,
1987:
2537)
that
the
specific
epithet
of
cinereus
should
be
used
instead
of
cinerea
in
accordance
with
the
gender
of
the
genus.
The
species
perspicillata
Geoffroy,
1826,
is
often
attributed
to the
genus
Lutra
Brisson,
1762
instead
of
Lutrogale
Gray,
1865.
The latter
is
still
not
recognised
at
the
generic
level
by
many
of
the
more recent
classification
of
mammals
including
Ellerman
&
Morrison-Scott
(1951),
Honacki
et
al.
(1982),
Corbet
&
Hill
(1991)
and
Nowak
(1991).
Opinions
differ,
for
Simpson's
(1945)
classification,
and
authors
such
as
Van
Bree
(1968),
Willemsen
(1980,
1986)
and
Van
Zyll
de
Jong
(1987)
use
Lutrogale
as
a
full
genus.
Willemsen's
(1980)
paper
highlights
the
consid-
erable
differences
that
exist
between
the cranial
and
post-cranial
anatomy
of
Lutrogale
and
Lutra.
Pocock
(1921: 543)
considered
the
differences
in
skull
structure
to
be
of
generic
value.
The
differ-
ences
in
skull
and
external
characters
(coat,
tail
and
rhinarium)
were
discussed
in
detail
later
(Po-
cock,
1941:
292,
293).
In
addition,
there
seem
to
be
aspects
of
behaviour
which
separate
the
social
Lutrogale
from
the
other
more
solitary
Lutra
spe-
cies
(see
Wayre,
1974:
37;
Duplaix-Hall,
1975:
315,
324-326).
The
authors
thus
feel
that
the
weight
of
the
evidence
favours
the
use
of
the
genus
Amblonyx
for
the
species
cinereus,
and Lutrogale
for
perspi-
cillata
and
use
these names
as
such.
There
is
intraspecific
variation
of
L.
lutra
(Linn.,
1758)
in
Asia
(Harris,
1968:
136).
The
Asian
otters
are
usually
smaller,
with
lighter
co-
loured
fur
(particularly
at
the
throat)
and
shorter
hair.
Of
the
subspecies
that
ranges
in
Thailand
and
Sumatra,
Pocock
(1941:
287)
states
that
'...it
is,
indeed,
the
smallest
known
race
of
Lutra
lutra,
apart
perhaps
from
aurobrunnea....'.
Most
authors
accept
this
form
as
the
subspecies,
L.
1.
barang
F.
Cuvier,
1823.
There
are
even
suspicions
that
the
Indo-Malayan
form
of
the
Eurasian
otter
is
a
distinct
species
(see
section
on
distribution
of
Lutra
lutra).
Unfortunately,
the
diagnoses
of
lutra/barang
and
Lutra
sumatrana
(Gray,
1865)
are
far
from
complete
such
that
the
possibility
that
they
belong
to the
same
species
cannot
be

153
excluded
(P.
J.
H.
van
Bree,
in
litt.).
Until
further
clarification
of
the
taxonomy,
the
authors
use
the
names
Lutra
lutra
and
Lutra sumatrana.
Identification
of
otters
in
Malaysia
and
Singapore
Four
species
of
otters
have
been
recorded
from
this
region
(Figs
1
&
2).
The
smallest
of
these
is
the
Asian
Small-clawed
Otter
(Amblonyx
cinereus)
whose
feet
are
incompletely
webbed
and
bear
ru-
dimentary
claws which
do
not
project
beyond
the
toes.
Wayre
(1976:
118,
120)
however,
noticed
well-developed,
curved
claws
on
the
paws
of
a
cub.
Claws
of
the forepaws
withered
and
dropped
off
in
about
five
weeks.
Pocock
(1941:
295)
ob-
served
the
same
in
feet
of
young
specimens,
sug-
gesting
that
this
occurred
when
the
cubs
began
to
hunt
independently.
Both
authors
observed
that
claws
of
the
forepaws
dropped
off
first.
The
three
a
b
c
Fig.
1.
Otters
reported
from
Malaysia
and
Singapore.
Schematic
drawings
of
animal
(side
view)
and rhinarium
(front
view).
a.
Lutrogale
perspicillata
(Smooth
Otter);
b.
Lutra
sumatrana
(Hairy-nosed
Otter);
c.
Lutra
lutra
(Common
Otter);
d.
Amblonyx
cinereus
(Small-clawed
Otter).
Rhinarium
drawings
after
CITES,
1983.

154
a n
b
Fig.
2.
Sketches
of
otter
skulls
(side
view).
a.
Lutrogale
per-
spicillata
(Smooth
Otter);
b.
Lutra sumatrana
(Hairy-nosed
Otter);
c.
Lutra
lutra (Common Otter);
d.
Amblonyx
cinereus
(Small-clawed Otter).
After
Payne et al.,
1985
and
Lekagul
&
McNeely,
1988.
larger species,
however,
possess
feet
with
well-
developed
webbing
and
claws.
The
short
fur
of
the
Smooth
Otter
(L.
perspicillata)
gives
its
coat
a
smooth,
velvety
appearance.
It
has
the
most
massive
head
of
the
four
species
and
the terminal
half
of
its
tail
is
flattened.
Ansell
(1947: 381) even
suggested
that
the
species be
given
the
common
name
of
'flat-tailed
otter'.
The
widely
distributed
Common
or
Eurasian Otter
(Lutra
lutra)
has
denser,
coarser
fur which
appears
grizzled
or
frosty due
to the
paler tips
of
its
guard
hairs.
The
teeth
are
smaller
and
the
muzzle
is
longer
than
that
of
L.
perspicillata.
The
Hairy-nosed Otter
(L.
sumatrana)
is
similar
to
the
Eurasian
Otter
but
is
distinguished
by
its
longer,
flatter
skull
and
a
hair-covered
rhinarium,
which
is
bare
in
the
other
species.
The
colour
of
the
upper
lip,
chin
and
forethroat
is
whitish
or
yellowish
and
strongly
contrasted
with
the
rest
of
its
coat.
Concise,
detailed
descriptions
exist
in
literature
(Pocock,
1941;
Harrison,
1966;
CITES,
1983;
Medway,
1983;
Payne
etal.,
1985;
Lekagul
&
McNeely,
1988)
but
the
characteristics
outlined
above
suffice
to
distinguish the four
species.
It
must
be
noted,
however,
that
although
size
is
rea-
sonably
useful
in
distinguishing
the
Small-clawed
Otter
from
the
other
species
within
this
region,
it
is
not
always reliable.
Identification
of
the
larger
three
species
is
difficult
without
a
close examina-
tion
of
the nose,
fur
or
skull.
The
Hairy-nosed
Otter
in
particular,
is
the
'...most
difficult
to
iden-
tify
in
the
field'
(Foster-Turley
&
Santiapillai,
1990).
Thus
information
of
sightings
obtained
in-
directly,
such
as
interviews,
should
be
treated
with
caution.
Distribution
The
assessment
of
the distribution
of
the
four
otter
species
is
based
totally
on
an
examination
of
literature
and
specimens
from relevant
museums
in
the
region,
namely
the
Zoological
Reference
Collection
in
the
Department
of
Zoology,
Na-
tional
University
of
Singapore,
the
Sarawak
Mu-
seum
at
Kuching,
Sarawak,
and
Muzium
Negara
in
Kuala
Lumpur
(see
Lim,
1985).
Material
in
the
British
Museum
(Natural
History),
London,
was
also
considered.
No
specimens from
the
Malay
Peninsula
were
found amongst
the
collection
of
the
Bogor
Museum (Museum
Zoologicum
Bogoriense),
Indonesia.
The collated
list
of
litera-
ture and
museum
records
is
presented
chrono-
logically
in
Appendix
I.
Prior to
this
century,
the
records
are
not
consistent
and
specific
references
to
mammals
of
the
Malay
Peninsula
besides
Can-
tor
(1846)
are
few
and
far
between.
There
is
also
some
confusion
with
the
identification
of
species.
Most
of
the
early
literature
do
not
specifically
address
the
Lutrinae
but
are
general
accounts of
mammals.
Thus
few
accounts
before
1900
are
included
and
the
period
considered
covers this
century
only.
Different
synonyms
which
were
used
in
the
course
of
the
century
had
to
be
clari-
fied.
While
the record presented
here
may
not
be
exhaustive,
the
material
examined
thus
far
is
suf-
ficient
for
an
assessment
of
the
distribution
of
otter populations
past
and
present.
Duplication
of
records
amongst
the
literature
has
been
avoided
as far
as
possible,
for some
accounts
of
mamma-
lian
fauna
are
based
on
the
same material
e.g.
Davis
(1962)
is
not
included
for
his
material
has
been
accounted
for elsewhere.
Amblonyx
cinereus
This
was
a
common
species
in
Malaysia
and
Sin-
gapore
as
far
as
old
records
suggest.
Both
writ-
ten
accounts
and
specimens
attest
to
its
presence.

155
Kloss
(1909)
and
Robinson
&
Kloss
(1909)
con-
sidered
it
the
most
abundant
otter
in
the Malay
Peninsula and
Singapore
and
this
seems
to
hold
true
for
the
rest
of
the
century for they
are
still
the
most
common
today.
The
same may
be
said
of
East
Malaysia
as
well.
In Singapore,
otters
have
always
been
elusive
and
Harrison
(1966)
felt
that
during
his
time, they
were
visitors
rather
than
a
permanent
fixture
of
the
Singapore
coast.
Cur-
rently,
it
would
seem
to
be only
this
species which
is
sighted
infrequently
amongst
the least
disturbed
areas
of
the island,
present
probably
as
visitors.
There
is
insufficient
evidence
at
present
to
suggest
otherwise.
An
exception
could
perhaps
be
Pulau
Tekong
Besar,
an
island
in
the
northeast
of
the
main
island. In
1989,
two
adults
with
not
less
than
three cubs
(probably
this
species) were
sighted,
raising
the
possibility
of
a
breeding
resi-
dent population
(Wang,
pers.
comm.).
Lutrogale
perspicillata
The
record
indicates
that
the Smooth
Otter
ranged
throughout
Malaysia
during
the
early
1900's.
The
early
record
for
Borneo
is
quite
poor,
while
in
Singapore,
a
single
specimen was
col-
lected
in
1938,
from
Lazarus
Island
in
the
south.
This
could
have been a
visitor.
Currently,
this
species
can
be
found
with ease
in
Peninsular
Ma-
laysia
and
a
recent
sighting
of
an
otter
in
Sin-
gapore
was
probably
of
this
species.
It
is
still
regarded
to
be
rare
in
East
Malaysia.
This
may
be an
underestimate,
for
many
parts
of
Borneo
remain poorly
explored.
Lutra sumatrana
The
Hairy-nosed Otter
does
not
seem
to
have
been
rare
in
Malaysia
or
Singapore
during the
early
half
of
the
century.
All
the
early
works and
lists
of
mammals
in
the
region
include
this
species
but
it
is
not
known
if
these
lists
were
based
on
fresh
sightings.
It
was
present throughout
Borneo
and the record
for
Sarawak
is
particularly
good.
But
the
latter
half
of
the century did
not
seem to
bode
well
for
this
animal.
Harrison's
(1966: 223)
claim
that
they
were
'...abundant
in
the
sea
off
Penang'
is
challenged by
Wayre
(1974:
26)
who
considered
the
statement
to
be
'...clearly
a
case
of
misidentification',
as
that
location
was
and
is
well
known
for
Smooth
Otters.
It
was
apparently
less
common
in
Singapore during this period
for
Har-
rison
(1966)
felt
their
status
to
be
more
of
visitors
rather
than
residents. Or
perhaps
Chasen
(1924:
84)
was
correct
in
saying
that
the otters
were
'...
adepts
at
concealment'. At
any
rate,
there
seems
no
reason
to
doubt
their
presence
during
the
ear-
lier
part
of
the
century.
Surveys
conducted
since
(Wayre,
1974;
Osman
&
Shariff,
1988;
Nor,
1990a)
did
not
encounter
this
species.
Misiden-
tification
cannot
be
ruled out
due
to
the
superfi-
cial
similarity
in
its
appearance
to
the Smooth
Otter.
Few
people
are
familiar
with
the
form
of
the
Hairy-nosed Otter,
and
currently
there
is
little
in
the
way
of
feral
or
captive
populations,
or
mu-
seum
specimens
to
examine.
This
is
aggravated
by
the fact
that
the
species'
more obvious
feature,
the
'hairy nose',
is
apparently
not
reliable
in
adults. Both
Cantor
(1846:
195)
and
Blanford
(1888:
187)
concur
that
hairs
of
the
nose
become
partially
worn
off
in
adults.
Anderson
(1878:
205),
commenting
on
the nose
of
an
adult
specimen
of
Cantor's
in
the
Indian
Museum, said
that
it
is
'...not
so
thickly
clothed
as in
the
young'.
Pocock
(1941:
289)
reports
that
while
hairs
may
be
rubbed
off
from
dried museum
skins,
the
follicles
leave
a
finely-pitted
rhinarium
surface
in
sumatrana,
as
opposed
to
a
coriaceous
surface
in
other
bare-
nosed
oriental
species.
Wayre
(1974:
37)
sug-
gested
that
the Hairy-nosed
Otter
would
be
found
in
torrential
streams
at
elevations
above
300
me-
tres
in
the Peninsula.
Recently,
however,
a
skull
from a
road
kill
in
Seberang,
Perak
in
1991,
was
identified
by
Bishop
of
the
BMNH
as
L.
sumatrana
(A. C.
Sebastian,
pers.
comm.)
and
three
individuals
observed
in
Ulu
Lepar,
Pahang
were
recorded
as
this
species
(Sebastian,
in
prep.).
The
presence
of
the
Hairy-nosed
Otter
in
Borneo
has
been
recorded
during
the
earlier
half
of
this
century.
Recent
records
suggest
that
this
otter
still
ranges
in
Borneo
and
is
less
rare
there
than
in
the
Peninsula.

156
Lutra
lutra
The
range
in
which
the
Eurasian Otter
is
said
to
have
occurred
stretches
from
continental
Asia
through the
Malay
Peninsula to
Sumatra
in
the
south.
However,
only
two
papers
mention
the
existence
of
this
otter
in
Malaysia and
Singapore
this
century,
and
both
are
dated
1900.
Flower's
(1900)
record
is
unconfirmed
for
he
refers
to
specimens
labelled
as
Lutra
vulgaris
(which
he
did
not
examine)
in
the
Raffles
Museum
purportedly
from
Singapore
and Malacca.
It
is
prudent to
consider
Chasen's
(1925a:
87)
statement
that
it
'...must
be
remembered
that
very
large
numbers
of
mammals
are
imported
into Singapore
each
year
for
trade
purposes.
Individuals
very
fre-
quently
escape
and
are
just
as
often
captured
or
shot and brought to the
Museum
with
the
laconic
statement
that
they
were
obtained
in
Singapore'.
Thus the
accuracy
of
the
specimens'
identity
and
locality
cannot
be
guaranteed.
There
are
no
speci-
mens
of
the
Eurasian
Otter
in
the Zoological
Ref-
erence
Collection
(formerly
the
Raffles
Museum).
The
only
set
of
specimens
from
this
collection
sent
to the
British
Museum
(Natural
History)
for
which
there
exists
a
record
is
the
Robinson's
Col-
lection
(see Hill,
1960:
37),
but
this
contains
no
Eurasian
Otters.
No
other
records
seem
available
in
the British
Museum
(J.
E.
Hill,
pers.
comm.
to
C.
M.
Yang).
Recently,
Daphne
M.
Hills
of
the
Mammal
Section
there
compiled
a list
of
speci-
mens
of
the four
species
collected from
this
re-
gion.
Despite
looking
for
specimens
of
Lutra
lutra
from
the
Malay
Peninsula
in
particular,
none
were
found
(D.
M. Hills,
in litt).
The second
reference
is
Miller (1900),
who
records
an
adult
female
caught
on
Pulau
Langkawi
by
Abbott
on
10th
December,
1899.
It
is
to
this
record
which
Medway
(1969,
1978,
1983)
refers
when
he includes
the
Eurasian
Otter
as
a
member
of
the
mammalian fauna
of
this
region.
Unfortunately, many
e.g.
Inskipp
&
Barzdo
(1988:
66)
have
assumed
this
to
be
Medway's
record
and
thus
recent
(i.e.
1969,
1978
or
1983
instead
of
1900).
Significantly,
several
lists
and
general
accounts
of
the mammalian
fauna
in
the
region
(Flower,
1900;
Kloss,
1908,
1909;
Chasen,
1924,
1925a,
1940;
Tate,
1947;
Harrison,
1964,
1966)
did
not
include
the
Eurasian
Otter.
Kloss
(1909:
33)
aptly
points
out:
'Although
Lutra
vul-
garis,
the
common
otter,
has
been included
at
times
in
the
Peninsular
fauna, there
is
no
satis-
factory
proof
of
its
occurrence'.
It
has
not
been
encountered
during
recent
surveys
either
(Wayre,
1974;
Osman
&
Shariff,
1988;
Nor,
1990a).
Hence
there
is
still
'no
satisfactory
proof of
its
occurrence'
in
Malaysia
or
Singapore this
cen-
tury.
As
such,
labelling
the
Common
Otter
as
'Maybe
extinct'
in
Malaysia
and
Singapore
(Foster-Turley
&
Santiapillai,
1990:
Fig.
3)
is
per-
haps
not
accurate
for
it
assumes
a previous
dis-
tribution
here.
Concluding
that
this
species
never
occurred
here
would
be,
however,
overlooking
the
fact
that
Southeast
Asia
was
relatively
little
stud-
ied
and otters
are
in
general, shy
creatures
which
make
encounters
with
man
infrequent.
The
soli-
tary
nature
and
the
more inaccessible
habitats
(mountain
streams
and
lakes)
which this
species
supposedly
occupies
(see
Ewer,
1973:
266; Lim,
1991)
adds
to
the
difficulty
of
its
accurate
iden-
tification.
The
single
record
for
Malaysia
in
Pulau
Langkawi,
its
northernmost
island,
is
also
the
southernmost
record
of
Lutra
lutra
for
this
part
of
continental
Asia
as
well.
This
suggests
that
L.
lutra
in
Sumatra has
been geographically
iso-
lated
from
the
rest
of
its range.
Three
possibilities
remain:
that
this
species
did occur
in
the
penin-
sular
but
was never
detected,
or
that sumatranal
lutra/barang
are
the
same,
or
that
the
Indonesian
L.
1.
barang
is
a
distinct
species
from
the Palae-
arctic
L.
lutra.
The last
possibility
was
raised
by
P.
J.
H.
van
Bree
(in
litt.)
who
pointed
out
the
case
of
Mustela
sibirica/M.
lutreolina
(see Van
Bree
&
Boeadi,
1978).
It
is
emphasized
that
otters
are
shy
and
hence
a
precise
appreciation
of
the distribution
of
any
of
the
otter
species
can
not
be
known
to
any
great
degree
without thorough
field
work
specifically
aimed
at
surveying
these
animals.
This
is
reflected
by
F.
N.
Chasen's
(1925a)
comment
that
'All
the
local
inhabitants
seem agreed
that
Otters
are
nu-
merous
thereabouts
but
we
did
not
meet with
any
on
the
present
occasion'.

157
Ecology and
biology
of
Smooth
and Small-clawed
otters
This
section
summarises the information
avail-
able
from
Malaysia
and
Singapore.
A
reasonable
amount
of
literature
is
available
only for
A.
ci-
nereus
and
L. perspicillata.
The
few
comments
that
are
available
about
the
Hairy-nosed
Otter
are
in-
cluded
but
are
inconsequential.
In
East
Malaysia
where
it still
ranges,
no
ecological
studies
have
been
attempted
(Davies
&
Payne,
1982).
The
Eurasian
Otter
has
not
been
studied
in
this
part
of
the
world.
Hence
only
the
Smooth
and
Small-
clawed
Otters
are
considered
here.
For
an
ac-
count
of
adaptations
to
an
aquatic
existence
by
the
Lutrinae,
see
Estes
(1989).
Habitat
types
The
Small-clawed
and Smooth Otters
adapt
well
to
a variety
of
habitats.
In Malaysia
these
otters
are
found
in
freshwater
and
peat
swamp
forests,
ricefields,
and
other
freshwater
(lakes,
streams,
reservoirs,
canals,
flooded
fields),
brackish
(man-
grove)
and
marine
(ocean
shores)
habitats
(Osman
& Shariff,
1988;
Nor,
1989).
Nor
(1990a)
noted
some
degree
of
habitat
partitioning: the
Smooth
Otter
is
found
amongst
the
large
lakes
and
rivers
whereas
the
Small-clawed
seemed
con-
fined
to
smaller
rivers
and
streams.
These
obser-
vations
concur
with
those
of
Wayre's
(1974).
Both
species
were,
however,
equally
common
in
areas
of
mangrove
and
ricefields
-
habitats
in
which
the
highest
populations
of
otters
could be
found.
In
particular,
ricefields
appear
to
be
one
of
the
most
suitable
habitats
in
supporting
viable
populations
of
otters.
It
is
suggested
that
the
Smooth Otter
seems
more
tolerant
of
the
presence
of
man
(Shariff,
1984),
and
that
the
Small-clawed
Otter
is
more
adept
at
exploiting
the
variable
fish
popu-
lations
in
the
ricefields
which
peak prior to
plant-
ing
and
harvesting
(Shariff,
1985).
In
Singapore,
recent
sightings
were
all
in
or
near
mangroves
(Yang
et
al.,
1990).
Despite
the
variety
of
habitats
which
otters
oc-
cupy,
a
few
prerequisites
appear
necessary
for
viable
otter
populations.
These
have
been identi-
fied as:
an
ample
food
supply,
a
freshwater
source,
unpolluted water,
protection
from
man,
adequate
cover
and
accessible dry
substrate
(Foster-Turley,
1989).
The
last
two
factors
are
important
to the
animal
for
maintaining
a
healthy
coat
condition
which
is
known to
be
a
vital
consideration
in
the
maintenance
of
captive
otters
(Duplaix-Hall,
1972,
1975).
In
the
wild,
covered
dens
and
dry
resting
sites
are
found
in
a
variety
of
locations.
Dens
are
found
in
earth
tunnels
below
bamboo
thickets, amongst
cavities
in
exposed
Ficus
tree
roots,
openings
in
boulder
piles,
amongst
Acros-
tichum
ferns
in
mangroves,
and
in
dense shrubs
adjacent
to
ricefields
in
which
the
Small-clawed
Otter
shelters
during
dry
seasons. The
Smooth
Otter
is
a
powerful
burrower
and
able
to
dig
into
banks
to
make
dens
whereas
the
Small-clawed
has
a
more
limited
digging ability.
The
otters
have
been
observed
resting
on
bushy
scrubs
in
rice-
fields,
bare
sand
or
non-woody
vegetation
on
shoulders
of
river
banks,
mud
banks
in
man-
groves,
and
on
sandy
banks
or
beaches
of
lakes
and
rivers
(Wayre,
1974;
Shariff,
1984,
1985;
Foster-Turley,
1989;
Nor,
1990a).
Group
size,
and
range
The
two
species
of
otters
are
found
in
groups
in
the
wild.
The
Small-clawed
Otter
is
said
to
'...live
in
loose
family
groups
of
about
a
dozen
individuals'
(Timmis,
1971),
while
a
typical
group
of
Smooth Otters
observed
by
Wayre
(1974)
con-
sisted
of
two
parents
with
up
to
six
young.
Both
species
have
been
recorded
in
larger
numbers
in
India
(Pocock,
1941:
302).
Foster-Turley
(1989)
elaborates
another char-
acteristic
that
the
two
species
share
with
other
otters,
namely,
the
larger
populations
and
more
gregarious
nature
of
otters
in
coastal
areas
or
marshes
than
in
rivers.
Wayre
(1974)
suggested
that
a
group
of
Smooth Otters
requires
7 to 12
kilometres
of
river
for
their
territory
and
an
even
longer
stretch
of
coastline
if
living
along
the
shore.
Furuyu
(1977:
41)
observed
'presumably'
Small-
clawed
Otters
often
in
groups
of
four
to
eight
at

158
sites
in
Padas
Bay,
Sabah.
Shariff(1984)
detected
the
presence
of
large
groups
but
low
incidence
of
solitary
sightings
(6)
in
coastal
mangrove,
and
at
a
freshwater
system,
reported
a
high
incidence of
solitary
sightings
(65)
but
absence
of
large
groups
(>
=
4).
Foster-Turley's
(1989)
observations of
the
species
in
Malaysia
and Thailand
are
in
agree-
ment.
Melquist
&
Homocker
(1983)
correlated
the
home
range
of Lutra
canadensis
inversely with
food
abundance.
This
could
explain
the
greater
numbers
of
otters
on
the
coast
which
enjoy
a
relatively
constant
food
supply
unlike
riverine
systems
which
suffer
seasonal
changes
in
water
level
and
possibly
other
factors
affecting
prey
availability.
Feeding
and
diet
Medway
was
reported
by
Wayre
(1976:
167)
to
believe
that
L.
sumatrana
inhabits
torrent
streams
and
feeds
on
small
fish,
frogs
and
crabs.
A
collector's
note
accompanying
specimens
of
this
species
from
Sarawak
said,
'Food:
crabs
and
small
fish'.
Davis
(1958:
138).
Cantor(1846)
notes
that
'Its
food
is
not
confined to
fishes
and
crus-
tacea;
birds
and
insects
are
equally
relished'.
Lutrogale
perspicillata
subscribes
to
the
feeding
manner
of
members
of
the
genus
Lutra
which
tend
to
locate
their
prey
visually,
catching
it
in
their
mouths.
Shariff
(1984)
observed
them
for-
aging
among
fallen
tree
trunks,
rapids,
fishing
nets
and other
obstacles
in
the
water.
They
held
their
heads
above
the
water
surface,
moving
slowly
with
sudden
glides
into water
to
catch
fish.
A.
ci-
nereus
has
developed
considerable
digital
move-
ment
and
very
sensitive
forepaws
which
it
uses
as
hands
to
feel
for
prey
and conduct
other
manipu-
lative
behaviour
(Timmis,
1971;
Duplaix-Hall,
1972;
Wayre,
1976).
It
will
even
search
under
boulders
and
in
crannies
and has
less
trouble
in
murkier waters
than
L.
perspicillata
(Medway,
1983;
Nowak,
1991).
Timmis
(1971)
observed
a
group
of
ten
digging
up
shell
fish
which
they
opened
by
laying
them
out
in
the
sun.
There
are
no accounts
of
co-operative
fishing,
which
have
been
reported
in
other
parts
of
Asia
of
the
Small-
clawed,
Smooth
and
Common
Otters
(Blanford,
1888: 184;
Pocock,
1941:
302,
313).
No
comprehensive
work
had
been
attempted
on
the
diet
of
these
animals
in
the
wild
until
Foster-Turley
initiated
her
investigation on
the
Small-clawed
Otter.
Her
results
will
be
published
soon
(in
litt.).
The available
literature
consists
of
rather
brief
analysis
of
scats
(or spraints).
Only
hard
parts
from
the
diet remain
and
identification
of
skeleton
fragments
or
fish
scales
to
species
level
has
not
been
attempted.
This
will
remain
one
of
the
major
problems
in
diet
studies.
However,
there
is
sufficient
information
in
the
available
lit-
erature
to
highlight
two
points
for
consideration.
The
first
observation
is
that
availability
of
prey
affects
diet.
Ewer
(1973)
considers
a
successful
carnivore
as
one
which
practises
flexibility
in
prey
utilisation.
Foster-Turley
(1989)
mentions
such
diet
variation
in
three
populations
of
Smooth
Ot-
ters.
One
mangrove
population
fed
on
only
man-
grove
fish while
another
fed
on
both
fish
and
ma-
rine
crabs.
A
third
population
in
nearby
freshwater
ricefields
with
adjoining
canals
fed
on
freshwater
fish
and
rats.
Likewise,
Shariff
(1985)
found
only
fish
scales
in
scats
collected from
rice-
fields
(Kampung
Pandak
Putih,
Perak)
while
scats
collected from
two
coastal
islands
(Langkawi
and Anak
Gua
Cerita)
also
contained
crab
and
crayfish.
Scats
of
the
same
species
from
the
east
coast
of
Malaysia
examined
by
Wayre
(1974)
consisted
entirely
of
crabs.
The
second
observation
about
diet
concerns
the
Small-clawed
Otter.
Lekagul
&
McNeely
(1988)
state
that
they
eat
less
fish
and
rely
more
on molluscs
and crabs.
But their
diet
too
still
depends
on
prey
abundance.
The
main
prey
item
in
scats
examined
by
Nor
(1989)
of
both
species
from
ricefields
of
Tanjung
Piandang,
Perak,
was
fish.
However,
crustacean
remains
were
found
only
among
scats
of
A.
cinereus
but not
L.
perspi-
cillata.
Foster-Turley
who
also collected
scats
from
four
sites
at
Tanjung
Piandang
observed
that
while
crabs
were
infrequently
found
in
scats
of
Smooth
Otters,
they
formed
the
major
com-
ponent
of
the
Small-clawed
Otter's
diet
(Foster-
Turley,
in
litt.).
Examination
of
her samples
indi-

159
cate
that
the
crabs
were
mainly
Sesarmines,
which
seems
true
of
the
species
at
Kuala
Selangor
Na-
ture
Park
(first
author,
pers. obsv.)
as
well. Lim
Boo
Liat
who examined
stomach
contents
of
four
individuals
(A.
cinereus)
from
Bukit
Lagong
and
Ulu
Gombak
forest
reserves,
Selangor,
found
mainly
crab particles
(in
litt.).
The
other
material
included
scales
of
fish
and
parts
of
giant
scorpi-
ons
(Heterometrus
longimanus)
and
millipedes
(Julidea
sp.).
Many accounts
of
the
Small-clawed
Otter
also
comment
on
its
reliance on
other
aquatic organisms
such
as
crabs
and
molluscs
rather
than
fish
(Medway,
1983;
Lim,
1990;
Nowak,
1991).
Such
variation
in
diet
is
of
much
importance
to
captive breeders
in
their
efforts
to
maintain
healthy
populations
of
these
animals.
A
possible
reason
for
the
importance
of
rice-
fields
as
a
habitat
to
otters
in
Malaysia
could
be
the
availability
of
food.
Both vertebrate
(fish
and
rats)
and
invertebrate
(molluscs,
crustaceans
and
insects)
sources
are
abundant
in
this
habitat
(Nor,
1990a).
The
synchronous
incidence
of
A.
cinereus
in
ricefields
with
fish
populations
may
be
associ-
ated
with
Trichogaster
pectoralis,
the snakeskin
gouramy
(sepat
siam),
a
food resource
which
makes
this
habitat
attractive.
This
fish
occurs
in
vegetated
open
areas
and
is
a
prolific
breeder.
It
is
abundant
during
rice
growing
season,
and
de-
clines
in
density
at
the
end
of
growing
season.
Other
fish
found
in
the
ricefields
which
are
likely
prey
species
include
the
common
snakehead
or
aruan
(Channa
striata),
keli
kayu
(Clarias
batra-
chus)
and
the
swamp
eel
or
belut
(Monopterus
albus).
Behaviour
No
comprehensive
studies
exist
on
the
behaviour
of
otters
in
their
natural
environment;
in
fact,
there
are
few
published
articles
of
observations
of
Asian
otters
in
the
wild
(Foster-Turley,
in
litt.).
The
playful
nature
of
the
otter
has
been ob-
served
in
captivity
(Leslie,
1971;
Duplaix-Hall,
1972)
and
in
the
wild.
Although
Chanin
(1985:
23,
24)
is
of
the
view
that
otters
slide
for
practical
reasons
of
locomotion
rather than
play,
Shariff
(1984)
observed
otters
at
Kuala
Gula
in
Perak
repeatedly
belly-sliding
down
banks
for
long
pe-
riods
of
time
and
classified
such
behaviour
as
play. Similarly
in
Singapore mangroves,
Hiscock
(1990)
sighted an
otter
repeatedly
wriggling
on
all
fours
over a
slight
tidal
incline
to
gain
momentum
before
releasing
its
forelimbs
to
belly
slide.
He
is
of
the
opinion
that
'It
appeared
to
be doing
this
for
amusement
rather
than
a
means
of
travel.'
It
was
still
engaged
in
this
activity
when
the
observ-
ers
left
the
scene.
The
purpose
of
such
activity,
if
it
is
not
play,
has
yet
to
be
determined.
Little
is
mentioned
about
calls.
Cantor
(1846)
writes
of
L.
sumatrana,
'Its
voice
is
a
short
shrill
whistling,
not
unlike
the
sound
of
the
cricket,
but
stronger'.
Timmis
(1971: 109)
writes
ofA.
cinereus
that
apart
from
basic
instinctive
calls
of
alarm,
greeting
and
mating, up
to
12
calls
are
recognised
and
Medway
(1983:
87)
reports
a
'variety
of
yelps
and
whimpers
and,
when
disturbed,
high
pitched
ullulating
screams'.
It
is
to
be
expected
of
more
social
species
that
an
extensive
vocal
range
exists
(Ewer,
1973:
255).
The
second
author
has noted
that
distress
call
of
A.
cinereus
served
to
rally
the
help
of
other
otters:
on
one
occasion
when
he
was
carrying
a
captured
otter
in
a sack,
it
gave
out
distress
calls.
Soon,
a
pack
of
otters appeared
and
an
individual
amongst
them
lunged
for
the
sack,
in
an
apparent
attempt
to
rip
it
open.
Play-
back
of
such alarm
calls
also
attracted
the
ani-
mals.
Bipedalism
is
a
gait
not
uncommon
to
otters.
Duplaix-Hall
(1972:
179;
1975:
326)
mentions
ot-
ters
walking
bipedally
when
carrying
cubs
with
their
forepaws
back
to
their
nest under
their
chins,
or
when carrying
bedding material
to
the nest.
Many
authors
mention
this
posture
adopted
by
otters
when
they
chanced
upon
the
animal
in
the
wild.
Notes
by
N.
Annandale
&
H.
C.
Robinson
in
Bonhote
(1903:
11)
relate
of
A.
cinereus:
'...a
party
of
four
...
sat
up
on
their hind
legs
and
watched
us,
rubbing
their
faces
with
their
paws',
as
did
Banks
(1931:
61):
'When
surprised,
they
sit
upright
on
the hind
legs
and
tail,
the
short
fore-
paws
hanging
down
free...'.
Banks
(1949:
40)
also
reports
bipedalism
as
a
common
trait
of
Lutra
sumatrana,
and
Wayre
(1974:
32)
writes
of
agroup

160
of
six
Smooth Otters
which
'...ran
to
and
fro
pausing
to
stand
up
on
their
hind
legs'
as
his
boat
approached
them
too
closely.
This
response
is
reflected
by
Hiscock
(1990)
who
reports:
'The
otter
seemed
to
be
aware
of
our
presence
for
it
would
often
lift
itself
up
on
its
front
legs
and
look
over
at
us'.
Both
A.
cinereus
and
L.
perspicillata
may
occasionally
be
observed
on
their
hind
legs
at
Zoo
Negara,
Kuala
Lumpur
(pers.
obsv.).
Duplaix-Hall
(1972)
warns
of
the
problems
this
poses
in
zoos
with
such
sunken
enclosures.
The
curiosity
which
prompts
the
animals
to
go
on
their
hindlimbs
to
peer
over
walls
is
often
misin-
terpreted
as
begging,
thus
encouraging
feeding
by
the
public
who
throw
in
food
or
dangerous
for-
eign
objects
-
both
of
which
prove
harmful
to the
animals.
Shariff
(1984)
observed
that
urination
and
de-
faecation
occupied
a
significant
part of
the
Smooth
Otter's
active
period.
Such
conspicuous
scent
post
toilets
of
scats
deposited
on
dry
ground
are
essential
markers
for
other
otters
to
locate
(Foster-Turley,
1989).
These
fixed
defaecation
spots
are
true
of
other
otter
species
and
may
be
observed
of
captive
otter
populations
as
well.
This
habit
provides
reliable
signs
and
is
normally
used
by
researchers
as
an
indication
of
the
presence
of
otters
(Mason
&
Macdonald,
1986:
47-53).
Otters
in
captivity
Not
all
wild
animals
are
easily
tamed
but
there
is
sufficient
evidence
to
indicate
that
otters,
when
caught
young,
are
easily
tamed.
Ansell
(1947:
382)
comments
that
captive
Smooth
Otters
in
Rangoon
Zoo
quickly
became
accustomed
to hu-
mans.
They
have
been
kept
as
pets
or
employed
for
their
natural
predatory
skills
by
fishermen
(Cantor,
1846;
Gudger,
1927;
Maxwell,
1960:
158;
Wayre,
1976:
103-169).
L.
sumatrana
has
been
kept
as
a
pet
as
well
(Cantor,
1846;
Banks,
1931:
60;
Wayre,
1976: 167).
A
summary
of
otters
in
captivity
is
unneces-
sary,
the
reader
being
referred
to
the
accounts
by
Duplaix-Hall
(1972,
1975),
Foster-Turley
(1990)
(who
also
refers
to
Wright,
in
press),
Reuther
(1991)
and
Wayre
(1976,
1989).
Observations
in
these
literature
point to
significant
social
and
be-
havioural
differences
between
the
Asian
(A.
ci-
nereus
and
L.
perspicillata)
and
European
(L.
lutra)
otters.
The
Asian
species
are
social,
di-
urnal
and
vocal
with
the
male involved
in
raising
the
cubs.
In the
more
solitary,
nocturnal,
quieter
Lutra
lutra,
however,
the
male
is
generally
kept
away
from
cubs
by
the
female.
During
a
brief
study
of
a
family
(1
male,
2
females,
1
cub)
of
A.
cinereus
in
the
Melaka
Zoo
by
Nor
(1990b),
the
male
spent
more
time
on
the
maintenance
of
the
nest
while
the
two
females
raised
the
cub.
Pellis
(1984)
gives
an
account
of
play-fighting
in
this
species.
Studies
on
the
Smooth
Otter
all
give
mention
to
its
fossorial
nature
prior
to
breeding
(Yadav,
1967;
Badham,
1973;
Desai,
1974;
Duplaix-Hall,
1975;
Markowitz,
1982).
Many
zoos
in
the world
keep
A.
cinereus
but
L.
perspi-
cillata
is
not
commonly
kept,
e.g.
15
of
the
31
'good
zoos'
in
Britain
display
the
former
but
none
display
the
latter
(Ironmonger,
1992).
There
are
two
roles
that
a
zoo
can
serve
by
its
maintenance
of
captive
population
of
otters:
pub-
lic
education
and
breeding.
Public
education
is
aided
by
the
fact
that
otters
have
a
high
exhibit
value
due
to
the
water
acrobatics
of
the
Lutra
spp.
and
the
fascinating
land
behaviour
of
the
clawless
otters
(Timmis,
1971;
Duplaix-Hall,
1972).
Its
role
in
environmental
education
as
defined
by
the
IUCN
is
discussed
by
JanBen
(1991).
The
role
of
captive
breeding
in
the
conservation
of
species
is
an
important
one
(Flesness
&
Foose,
1990).
The
breeding
record
of
otters
remains
poor
except
for
the
Otter
Trust
which
successfully
raised
Eur-
asian
and
Small-clawed
Otter
cubs
(Chanin,
1985:
165;
Wayre,
1989:
39,
47).
The
studies
mentioned
so
far
tend
to
be
based
on
observation
of
sole
collections
in
individual
zoos.
Recently,
the
American
Association
of
Zoological
Parks
and
Aquariums
(AAZPA)
has
taken
the
initiative
to include
the
Asian
Small-clawed
Otter
as
part
of
its
Species
Survival
Plan
(SSP)
programme.
It
intends
to
manage
viable
captive
populations
of
A.
cinereus
in
order
to
assist
conservation
in
the
wild
(Foster-Turley
&
Engfer,
1988).
Such
coor-
dinated
work
effectively
increases
the
population

161
size
of
otters
observed,
thus
allowing
a
significant
contribution
from
zoos. The
SSP
identified
renal
calculi
as
a
significant
health
problem
amongst
A.
cinereus
in
North
American
zoos
(Foster-
Turley
&
Engfer,
1988;
see
also
Nelson,
1983;
Calle
&
Robinson,
1985).
This
has
also
been
noted
at the
Otter Trust
(Wayre,
1989:
82).
Other
health
problems
amongst
captive
otters
(Lan-
caster,
1975:
65;
Rogoschik
&
Brandes,
1991)
that
might
exist
have
to
be highlighted
in
order
to
initiate preventative
measures
for
successful
maintenance
by
zoos.
Locally,
emphasis
should
be
placed on
docu-
menting
and
publishing
work
based
on
captive
studies.
Local
zoos
possess
the
advantage
of
natural
climatic
conditions
which
can
only
benefit
any
breeding plan
they
conduct.
As
of
now,
no
major
work
on
captive
otters
native
to
the
Indo-
Malayan
region
originate
there although
the
Asian
Small-clawed
Otter
has
been
bred
in
the
Sin-
gapore
(Calle
&
Robinson,
1985:
1149),
Melaka
(Nor,
1990b)
and
Kuala Lumpur
(pers.
obsv.)
zoos.
Conservation
The
four
species
recorded
from
Malaysia
and
Singapore
are
all
listed
under
the
Threatened
Species
Categories
of
the
1990
IUCN
Red
List of
Threatened
Animals.
Lutra
lutra
is
listed
as
'Vulnerable'
while
Lutrogale
perspicillata,
Lutra
sumatrana
and Amblonyx
cinereus
are
designated
the
category,
'Insufficiently
Known',
assigned
to
taxa
of
which
little
is
known.
This
highlights
the
appalling
state
of
knowledge
about
the
Asian
ot-
ters
which
is
lacking
in
as
fundamental
an
aspect
as
distribution.
Although
otters
have
never
constituted
a
food
source
nor
been
hunted
for
its
pelt,
it
is
often
construed
to
be
a
pest
by
fishermen.
A
problem
created
by
otters
in
the
ricefields
is
the
damage
caused
by
their
play.
They
also feed
on
the
fish
which
are
drained
into sump
ponds
after
the
har-
vest
of
ricefields.
This
fish
constitute
an
addi-
tional
income
for
the
ricefield
farmers
who usually
do
not
want
to
invest
in
otter-proof
fencing.
In
certain
instances, the otters
are
killed,
despite
the
prohibition
by
law.
The
extent
of
such
incidents
is
not
known and
are
difficult
to
estimate.
How-
ever,
this
is
not
considered
the
major
threat
to
populations.
Otters
are
totally
protected
in
Ma-
laysia
by
the
Wildlife
Act
of
1972
and
in
Sin-
gapore,
by
the
Wild
Animals
and
Birds
Act,
1985.
The contribution
of
these
laws
to
the
eventual
survival
of
the
otter
species
in
this
region
is
at
best,
minimal,
for
their
habitats
are
not
protected.
Pollution
of
the
wetlands
and
the
rapid
conver-
sion
of
their
habitats to
other
land
uses
will
re-
main
the
bone
of
contention
in
the discussion of
the
otter's
survival
in
Malaysia
and
Singapore.
Perhaps
many
feel
that
the
current
situation
does
not
justify concern.
Afterall,
the
two
species
currently
present
in
the
Peninsula
are
widespread.
However,
with
the
increasing
threat
offered
by
industrialisation
and
development,
conservation
plans
which
include
public
education
as
well
as
the many
aspects
of
research,
have
to
begin
well
in
advance.
Complacency
over
the
current
situa-
tion
could result
in
significant
problems
later.
The
case
of
the European
otter
L.
1.
lutra
is
worth
considering. The
reasons
for
the
decline
of
this
species
'...were
the
usual ones'
(Lang,
1977).
River
bank
improvement,
intensive
use
of
the
river,
pollution
and
hunting
all
contributed to
the
pressures
that
suppressed
its
population.
Chris-
tian
Schmidt
of
the Zoologischer
Garten
Zurich
(1972)
summarised
the
decline
in
Switzerland
where
it
was
formerly
abundant:
the otter
was
exterminated
many
years
ago
because
it
was
wrongly
considered
to
be
the
main
competitor
of
fishermen.
The
Swiss
government
even
paid
a
bounty
for
every
otter
killed.
In
1938,
it
was
still
possible to
record
free-living
otters
in
the centre
of
Berne.
By
1952,
the
otter
was
protected
but
only
40-60
individuals
were
alive
at
that
time.
By
1972,
the
European
Otter
had
vanished
in
Swit-
zerland;
the
protective measures
taken
had
been
too
late.
A
decision was
then made
to
build
a
compound
with the
aim
of
keeping
and
breeding
otters
on a
large scale
and under
natural
condi-
tions.
The authorities
hoped
to
educate
the
pub-
lic
that
the
species
is
not
a
pest
and
eventually
reintroduce
surplus
specimens
into
suitable
wild

162
Swiss
habitats.
Its
breeding
record
in
captivity
is
unfortunately
poor
(Lang,
1977)
partly
due
to
conditions
in
zoos
(see
Harris,
1968:
119).
The
current
status
of
the
animal
in
Switzerland
(fide
Macdonald
&
Mason,
1990)
is
that
it
is
almost
extirpated;
restricted
to
one
small
lowland
popu-
lation
only
-
the
remnant
of
the
reintroduction
programme
of
1975
which
failed
to
re-establish
the
otter
(Macdonald
&
Duplaix,
1983).
The
threats
remain
the
same:
habitat
destruction
and
fragmentation
of
suitable
habitats
and
water
pol-
lution
(for
a
review
of
the
latter,
see
Mason,
1989).
Switzerland
is
not
the
exception.
The Action
Plan
for
European Otters
warns
that
'...there
are
now
many
western
countries
where
the
Eurasian
otter
is very
rare
or
extinct'
(Mason
&
Macdonald,
1990).
There
is
serious
cause
for
concern
for
Malay-
sian
otters
too.
Since
the
1960's,
apart
from
the
road
kill
mentioned
earlier
and
the
apparent
sighting
of
three
individuals
in
Ulu
Lepar,
the
Hairy-nosed
Otter
appears
not
to
have
been
seen
in
either
Peninsular
Malaysia
or
Singapore.
Wayre's
(1974)
conclusion
that
it
is
isolated
in
the
higher
elevations
of
the
Peninsular
is
perhaps
the
first
hint of
a
threatened
species.
Any
animal
that
favours forested
streams
would have
been
seri-
ously
affected
by
changes
in
land
use
over
the
past
thirty
years.
If
sizeable
populations
of
this
species
are
not
found
soon,
and
its
habitat
not
protected,
the
Hairy-nosed
Otter,
which
is
en-
demic
to
Southeast
Asia,
may
well
become
ex-
tinct
in
Peninsular
Malaysia.
Scott
&
Poole's
(1989),
Priority
Species
listing
(covering
mam-
mals,
birds,
reptiles
and amphibians)
for
Malay-
sia
includes
L.
sumatrana
amongst
the
nine
spe-
cies
identified
as
a
special
responsibility
of
the
country.
That
the
list
of
site
accounts
does
not
include
Peninsular
Malaysia
is
itself
an
indication
of
the
threat
to
this
species.
A
concerted
effort
will
have
to
be
made
soon
to
ensure
that
the
continued
survival
of
the
Hairy-nosed
Otter
is
given
the concern
that
it
deserves.
Singapore's
thriving
development
has
reduced
most
of
the
mainland
mangroves
to
small
areas
in
the
north.
Despite
its
highly
disturbed
state,
the
continued
though
infrequent
indications
of
the
presence
of
otters
strikes
an
optimistic
note
in
an
otherwise
gloomy
chapter
of
her
disappearing
fauna.
It
is
possible
that
the
establishment
of
a
bird
reserve
in
a
patch
of
mangroves
on
the
north
coast,
the
Sungei
Buloh
Nature
Park,
may
even-
tually
attract
the
otter
back.
In
his
foreword
to
IUCN's
Otters
-
An
Action
Plan
for
their
Conservation
(Foster-Turley
et al.,
1990),
George
Rabb,
Chairman
of
the
IUCN
Species
Survival
Commission,
identifies
informa-
tion
gathering
as
a
major
part of
the
task
ahead
in
the conservation
of
otters.
In
the case
of
the
Asian
otters,
details
concerning
distribution,
habitat
preference,
diet and
feeding
patterns,
in-
terspecific
interaction,
field
and
captive
aspects
of
reproductive
biology
are
still
poorly
if
not
known.
This lack
of
knowledge
has
hampered
the
main-
tenance
and
breeding
efforts
of
captive
zoo
popu-
lations
as
well
as
conservation
programmes.
Hence,
research
in
the near
future
should
be
co-
ordinated
to
answer
the
immediate
questions
of
relevance
to
the
long
term
survival
of
the
otter
in
Malaysia
and
Singapore.
Certain
lines
of
research
pertinent
to
the
even-
tual
conservation
of
the
otter
species
are being
addressed.
The
second
author
is
currently
con-
ducting
a
detailed
survey
to
determine
the
distri-
bution
of
otters
in
Peninsular
Malaysia
which
is
expected
to
be
completed
by
1992.
It
will
also
identify
important
areas
and
threats
that
these
species
may
face
in
the
future.
Other
studies
in-
clude
the
feeding
patterns
of
otters
in
ricefields
of
Tanjung
Piandang,
Perak
and
habitat
use
of
ot-
ters
in
Taman
Negara.
A
project
is
about
to
begin
on
the
spacing
patterns
and
territorial
behaviour
of
the
Small-clawed
Otter
with
the radio-
telemetry.
The
first
author
will
be
undertaking
basic
research
into
the
biology
and
ecology
of
the
Smooth
Otter
which
will
include
studies
on
habi-
tat,
diet,
behaviour
and
its
interspecific
interac-
tions
with
the
Small-clawed
Otter.
The
research
to
be
undertaken
is
necessarily
basic
for
little
is
really
known
about
this
animal
for
which
there
is
call
to
recognise
as
a
symbol
of
the
wetlands.
It
is
ironical
to
compare the
extent
of
the literature
available
in
Europe
on
their
single
species,
Lutra
lutra
and
the
dearth
of
literature

163
that
exists
on
the
Southeast
Asian
otters,
of
which
there
are
four
species!
The
authors
have
generally
refrained
from
discussing
the
situation
in
other
Southeast
Asian
countries
for
besides
the
Action
Plan
for
Asian
Otters
(Foster-Turley
&
Santiapil-
lai,
1990),
not
much
information
is
available.
Consider
Lutra
1. barang,
for
example.
It
is
pos-
sibly
a
distinct
species
and
yet
very
little
is
known
about
its
ecology
in
Southeast
Asia
where
it
is
elusive
and
rare.
The
numerous
undiscovered
habitats
and
the
size
of
the
Indonesian
Archi-
pelago
only
poses
challenges
and
a
lot
of
ques-
tions.
It
is
possible
that
some
work
has
been
done
but
remain
inaccessible
in
publications
such
as
departmental
journals.
An
important
element
that
has
thus to
be
considered
in
the conservation
of
otters
will
be
the
establishment
of
a
common
da-
tabase
of
information.
This
is
easily
managed
and
yet
will
accelerate
the
pace
of
research
while
avoiding
overlaps
or loss
of
any useful
work.
Such
a
regional
outlook
of
the
conservation
problems
which
face
the
otter
and
its
wetlands
habitat
must
remain
a
priority
for
researchers
in
Southeast
Asia.
There
still
remain
populations
of
the
four
spe-
cies
within
this
region.
There
is
time
as
yet
to
avoid
the
fate
that
has
befallen
this
animal
over
much
of
western
Europe
which
has
seen
the
sig-
nificant
decline
of
the
Eurasian
Otter
together
with
the
healthy
wetlands
it
once
used
to
inhabit.
Acknowledgements
The
first
author
would
like
to
thank
Dr
Peter
K.
L.
Ng
of
the
National
University
of
Singapore
for
supervising
this
project.
Many
people
encour-
aged
the
first
author,
offered
useful
advice
and
responded
with
literature,
for which
he
is
very
grateful
-
Lim
Boo
Liat,
Pat
Foster-Turley,
P.
J.
H.
van
Bree,
Gordon
B.
Corbet,
Sheila
Macdonald,
Padma
de
Silva,
Charles
Santiapil-
lai,
Claus
Reuther,
Nicole
Duplaix-Hall
and
Wayne
E.
Melquist.
Thanks
to
Daphne
M.
Hills
of
the British
Museum
(Natural
History)
for
the
compilation
of
their
otters
specimens,
Charles
Leh
of
the
Sarawak
Museum
for help
with
the
museum
records
and
loan
of
specimens
and
Zainal
A.
Jamaludin
of
Muzium
Negara.
The
au-
thors
thank
P.
J.
H.
van
Bree
for
advise
on
tax-
onomy
and
loan
of
books,
Mohd
Khan
Bin
Momin
Khan
of
Perhilitan,
Kelvin
K. P.
Lim
of
the
ZRC
for
the
drawings
and
help
with
the
search
for
distribution
records
and
Peter
Ng
for advise
on
taxonomy
and
for
checking
the
draft.
Appendix
I
Record
of
otter
observations,
1900-1991
Relevant
references
made
of
otters
in
the
literature
is
com-
piled.
Prior
to
1900,
little
information
was
available;
however,
the
few
that
were
found
are
included
for
the record.
Synonyms
that
were
used
in
the
original
literature
appear
in
square
brackets.
The
museum
records
include
all
material
from
the
respective
collections
even
if
dated
prior
to this
century.
All
specimens
are
skins,
unless
otherwise
stated.
ZRC:
Zoologi-
cal
Reference
Collection
(formerly
the
Raffles
Museum)
-
the
specimens
in
this collection
were
examined
by
P.
J.
H.
van
Bree;
SM:
Sarawak
Museum
-
specimens
were
examined
by
K.
Lim
of
the
ZRC,
identity
on
the
specimen
labels,
if
differ-
ent
from
that
diagnosed,
is
in
square
brackets;
some
speci-
mens
have
two
catalogue
numbers;
MN:
National
Museum,
Malaysia
-
specimen
examined
by
senior
author;
BMNH:
British
Museum
(Natural
History)
-
specimens
examined
and
list
compiled
by
Daphne
M.
Hills.
Question
marks
(?)
are
inserted
where
doubts
exist
about
the
specimens,
spelling,
locality
or
species.
Records
of
Amblonyx
cinereus.
Published
in
literature:
Cantor,
1846:
[as
Aonyx
leptonyx,
Gray]
"Anjing
Ayer'
of
the
Malays
of
the
Peninsula.'
'This,
as
well
as
the
two
preceding
species
(L.
perspicillata
&
L.
sumatrana),
inhabits
numer-
ously
the
banks
of
the Malayan
rivers,
and
all
are
at
times
used
by
the
Malays
in
river
fishing.';
Distr.
-
Malayan
Peninsula,
Singapore
(p.
196).
Lydekker,
1894:
[as
L.
cinerea]
Ranges
through
the
Malay
Peninsula
and
islands.
(p.
96).
Ridley,
1895:
Two
species
of
otter
have
been
met
with
in
Singapore,
viz.,
Lutra sumatrana
and
L.
leptonyx;
but
they
seem
to
be
rare,
and
little
is
known
about
them.
The
Malays
often
call
them
'Anjing
Ayer'
(water
dogs)
(p.
94).
Flower,
1900:
[as
Lutra
cinerea
Illiger.]
Recorded
from
the
Malay
Peninsula;
Malacca
(1891);
Tahan
River,
Pahang
(1894);
Batu
Pahat,
Johore
(1894);
Singapore
(1895,
1898)
by
various
authors.
'...and
there
is
a
specimen
caught
in
Selangor
in
the
Museum
at
Kuala
Lumpur.';
Distr.
-
South-eastern
Asia
(p.
335).

164
Bonhote,
1903:
[as
Lutra
cinerea
Illiger.]
'Otters,
probably
of
more
than
one
species,
are
common
in
Patani
States,
both
high
up
in
the
rivers,
in
estuarine
waters,
and
even
in
Patani
Bay,
the
coast
form
attaining
a
very
large
size.
The
people
of
the
fishing
village
of
Tanjong
Budi,
on
Patani
Bay,
told
us
that
the
species
was polygamous,
and
that
the
old
dog
otter
always
endeavoured
to
destroy
the
male
pups,
the
usual
number
of
the
litter
being
four.
It
was
very
abundant
in
this
locality,
and
was often
to
be seen
along
the
edge
of
the mangroves
at
low
tide,
or
swimming
in
the
waters
of
the
bay.
Travelling
down
the
Patani
River,
above
Biserat,
in
very
rainy
weather,
we
surprised
a
party
of
four
on
a
shingle
bank,
who
sat
up
on their
hind
legs
and watched
us,
rub-
bing
their
faces
with
their
paws.'
(p.
11).
Kloss,
1908:
[as
Lutra
cinerea,
Illiger]
included
in
the
provi-
sional
list
of
mammals
of
the
peninsular
region.
Kloss,
1909:
[as
Lutra
cinerea,
Illiger]
'Throughout
the
Pen-
insula and
Singapore
where
it
is
the
commonest
of
otters.'
(p.
33).
Robinson
&
Kloss,
1909:
[Aonyx
cinereus,
IU.]
'Quite
the
most
abundant
of
the
otters
of
the
Malay
Peninsula
and
found
equally
in
salt,
brackish
and
fresh
water,
and
even
in
mountain
streams.'
(p.
112).
Chasen,
1924:
[as
Lutra
cinerea,
Illiger.]
listed
in
checklist
of
mammals
of
Singapore
(p.
83);
'Otters
of
any
species
are
either
not
common
in
Singapore
or
adepts
at
concealment,
possibly
the
latter.'
(p.
84).
Chasen,
1925a:
included
in
the true
Singapore
land
fauna
(p.
88).
Banks,
1931:
occur
in
Sarawak
(p.
60).
Allen
&
Coolidge,
1940.
Reporting
The
Asiatic
Primate
Ex-
pedition,
June-August,
1937,
specimens
in
Museum
of
Comparative
Zoology,
Harvard:
[as
Micraonyx
cinereus
(I1-
liger)]
MCZ.36766,
female,
Sarawak,
Borneo; MCZ.36627,
female,
Talibang
near
Tuaran,
North
Borneo
(Sabah);
MCZ.36726,
female,
Kalabakang
River,
Tawau
(Sabah).
(p.
150).
Hill,
1960.
Reporting
on
the Robinson
collection
(before
1926):
BMNH.55.1598,
male,
Taiping, Malaysia;
BMNH.55.1599,
male,
Kuala
Lumpur,
Malaysia.
(p.
37).
Chasen
&
Kloss,
1931:
[as
Lutra
cinerea,
Ill.]
'Hose
records
the
species
as
very
rare
in
Borneo
but
it
was
very
common
at
Bettotan
[near
Sandakan,
Sabah]
and
a much
larger
series
could
have
been
obtained
with
ease.'
(6
males,
3
fe-
males
coill.)
(p.
15).
Chasen,
1940:
Distr.
-
Malay
Peninsula,
Sumatra,
Rhio-
Lingga
Arch.,
Borneo,
Java
(p.
93).
Davis,
1958.
Reporting
on
Harrisson's
collection
from the
Kelabit
Plateau,
northeastern
Sarawak,
between
Sept.
1945
and
Dec.
1949:
One
female,
two
juveniles,
Pa
Main,
3500
feet;
one
male,
Bario,
3800
feet;
one
male,
one
female,
Bario.
Collector's
note.
-
'In
small
shingle
and sand
stream
on
flats
two
miles
from
village.'
'In
stream
in
jungle.
Many
others.
Food:
fish'
(p.
134).
Tate,
1947:
'...typically
of
Java,
but
also
found
in
Borneo,
Sumatra,
and
the
Malay
Peninsula'
(p.
157).
Banks,
1949:
listed
as
a
mammal
of
Borneo
(p.
41).
Timmis,
1971:
'During
February
1962,
I
was
able
to
observe
from
a
small
boat
a
group
of
ten
Amblonyx
at
work
on
a
large
sandbank
40 miles
above
Sibu on
the
Rajang
river,
Sarawak....
On
another
occasion,
several
miles
inland
between
Balikpapan
and
Samarinda
in
Indonesian
Borneo,
I
heard
the
bird-like
cries
of
Amblonyx
without
actually
seeing
the
animals;
this
was
in
quite
heavy
jungle
with
numerous
small
streams
and
swamp
areas.'
(p.
110).
Harrison,
1964:
recorded
from
North
Borneo
(Sabah)
(p.
22).
Harrison,
1966:
It
appears
in
Singapore
from
time
to
time;
perhaps
as
a visitor,
or perhaps
as
an
escape
-
for
it
is
a
popular
pet
(p.
224);
'...
have
been
recorded
from
time
to
time,
and
one
suspect
that
they
visit
here
from
the
mainland.'
(p.
6);
present
in
Penang
(p.
7);
known
from
Malaya
(p.
332).
Harrison,
1969:
5
animals
collected
by
IMR
between
1947-
1957
(p.
175).
Wayre,
1974:
common
in
Rompin
area
and
Kuala
Trengganu.
Furuyu,
1977:
observed
families
of
otters
at
Padas
Bay,
Sabah.
Medway,
1977:
'Records
cover
all
mainland
Borneo...'
(p.
133).
Davies
&
Payne,
1982:
most
information
come
from
chance
sightings
and
published
works;
A.
cinerea
is
the
most
com-
mon
species,
occuring
wherever,
there
are
streams
or
for-
est
cover.
The
otters
are
not
regarded
as
sufficiently
rare
or
threatened
by
development
to
warrant
special
conservation
methods
now.
Shariff,
1984:
Smooth
Otter
more
abundant
than
Small-
clawed
Otter
in
Kuala
Gula,
Perak,
and
Taman
Negara,
Pahang.
Shariff,
1985:
Smooth
Otter
in
Langkawi
Island;
Smooth
Otter
and
Small-clawed
Otter
in
and
around
rice
fields
at
Kampung
Pandak
Putih Baru,
Perak.
Davison
&
Heang,
1987:
Sighting
of
A.
cinerea amongst
ob-
servations
made
on
mammals
in
Ulu
Endau,
1985-1986.
(p.
438).
Kemper,
1988:
traces
and tracks
and
sighting
of
A.
cinerea
in
primary
lowland
dipterocarp
forest.
(p.
14).
Osman
&
Shariff,
1988:
Results
of
preliminary
survey
of
Pen-
insular
Malaysia
-
only
two
species
present,
Small-clawed
Otter
and
Smooth
Otter.
Highest
numbers
of otters
re-
ported
from
the
state
of
Kedah.
Nor,
1989:
the
Smooth
Otter
and
Small-clawed
Otter inhabit
ricefields
of
Tanjung
Piandang,
Perak.
Foster-Turley
&
Santiapillai,
1990:
Common
in
Peninsular
and
East
Malaysia;
believed
extirpated
in
Singapore.
Yang
et
al.,
1990:
In
Singapore,
recent unconfirmed
reports
from
Choa
Chu
Kang
and Pulau
Tekong
and
Central
Catchment
Area
(all
amongst
the
least
disturbed
areas
of
Singapore);
status
=
visitor
straying
from
Peninsular
Malaysia/Uncommon,
occurs
in
small
numbers
in
various
localities
and
endangered.
Nor,
1990a:
Only
the
Smooth
Otter
and
the
Small-clawed
Otter
found
during
survey
of
northern
Malaysian
states.
No
other
species
observed.

165
Museum
records
Borneo:
(?):
Haviland,
G.,
1892:
SM.49.22,
male,
Kuching,
Sarawak.
(?):
Bartlett,
E.,
1892:
SM.49.23,
male,
Kuching,
Sarawak.
(?):
Saintbois,
A.,
5.VI.1900:
SM.49.25,
female,
mounted
skeleton, Kuching,
Sarawak.
Lewis
&
Hose:
BMNH.
1890.1.17.1,
female,
young,
with
skull,
Sarawak.
Anon.,
23.111.1892:
SM.A49.21
(SM.0174/1),
female,
Kuch-
ing,
Sarawak.
Everett:
BMNH.1893.3.4.7,
female,
with
skull,
Poeh
River,
Poeh
Mt.,
Sarawak.
Scott,
H.
W.
V.,
10.XII.1894:
SM.49.13
(SM.0174/2)
[un-
iden.],
juv.
male,
Kuching,
Sarawak.
Hose,
1894:
BMNH.1899.12.9.29,
female,
with
skull,
Baram
District,
Sarawak.
Anon.,
7.IV.1902:
SM.A49.26
(SM.0174/3),
male,
Kuching,
Sarawak.
Barker,
A. J.
G.,
1903:
SM.A49.17
[Lutrasumatra],juv.
male,
wet-
preserved,
Kuching,
Sarawak.
Lalay
(native?),
25.VI.1926:
SM.A49.18
[Lutra
sumatrana],
juv.
male,
Tanjong
Datu.
Liew,
Moses,
6.VI.1956:
SM.0174/4
[uniden.],
juv.
female,
died
in
captivity.
Liew,
Moses,
6.VI.
1956:
SM.0174/5
[uniden.],juv.
male,
died
in
captivity.
Seal,
J.,
29.VIII.
1957:
SM.0174/6,
[Lutra
perspicillata],
male,
'bought
...
off
garbage collectors,
27.8.57,
died
29.8'.
Chua,
Ah
Bar, 23.IX.1963:
SM.528
[uniden.],
'caught
by
his
son
in
the
ditch.
The
boy
was
seriously
bitten
in
the hand.
He was paid
$5
as
compensation.',
Satok
Road,
Kuching,
Sarawak.
Anon.,
6.V.1978:
MN.630,
male,
Santubong, Sarawak.
Kloss,
C.
B.
&
F.
N.
Chasen,
2-25.VIII.1927:
ZRC.4.1158-
65,
5
males
&
3
females,
Bettotan,
near
Sandakan,
Sabah.
Referred
to
in
Chasen
&
Kloss,
1931.
Anon.,
14.VII.1962:
ZRC.4.1534,
female,
ZRC.4.1535,
male,
Cocoa
Research
Stn.,
700ft,
Tawau,
Sabah.
De
Garcia
&
Harrison:
BMNH.1971.3066,
male,
with
skull,
Kalabakan,
North
Borneo
(Sabah).
Malaysia
and
Singapore
Anon.: BMNH.1839.11.11.10,
sex
uniden.,
purchased
(Stevens),
with
skull,
Singapore
Island.
Anon.:
BMNH.1842.4.12.15,
sex
uniden.,
young,
purchased
(Warwick),
skull
only,
Singapore.
Cantor/Indian
Mus.:
BMNH.1879.11.21.568,
male, with
skull,
Malacca.
Int.
Fisheries
Ex.:
BMNH.1883.11.20.1,
female,
with
skull,
Singapore
Straits
Settlements.
Robinson
&
Annandale: BMNH.1903.2.6.30,
male, with
skull,
Ban
Sai
Kan,
?Malaya.
Butler& Robinson: BMNH.1955.1598,
malewith
skull,
Kuala
Lumpur,
Selangor.
Robinson,
1912:
BMNH.1955.1599,
male, with
skull,
Taiping
Gardens,
Taiping,
Perak.
Lim,
B.
L.,
1958:
BMNH.1961.1266,
female,
with
skull,
Ulu
Gombak
For.
Res.,
Selangor.
Anon.,
1905:
ZRC.4.1156,
male,
Larut,
Perak,
Malaysia.
Anon.,
15.111.1920:
ZRC.4.1157,
male,
Jeram,
Selangor,
Ma-
laysia.
Neubromer,
C.
B.
A.,
F.
Ederma
&
J.
Hausen,
25.X.1925:
ZRC.4.1166-7,
two juv.
males,
Pasir Panjang
(?Bintan
Island
in
the
Riau
Archipelago
or
Singapore).
Records
of
Lutrogale
perspicillata.
Published
in
literature:
Burton,
1987:
[examined
libraries
of
Linn.
Soc.
Lond., Zool.
Soc.
Lond. and Mamm.
Sect.
of
BMNH,
also
coll.
of
latter]
A
single
specimen was
collected
in
Borneo
last
century
(p.
143).
Cantor,
1846:
[as
L.
nair
F.
Cuvier]
"Anjing
Ayer'
of
the
Malays
of the
Peninsula.'
(p.
195).
Lydekker,
1894:
[as L.
macrodus]
'...
also
extends
to
Burma,
the
Malay
Peninsula,
and
Sumatra.'
(p.
96).
Flower,
1900:
[as
Lutra
macrodous
Gray]
'Recorded
from
the
Malay
Peninsula
by
Cantor.
A
specimen
caught
in
Selangor
is
in
the
Museum
at
Kuala
Lumpur.';
Distr.
-
India,
Burma,
Malay
Peninsula
(p.
334).
Kloss,
1908:
[as
Lutra
macrodous,
Gray]
included
in
the
pro-
visional
list
of
mammals
of
the peninsular
region.
Kloss,
1909:
[as
Lutra
macrodous,
Gray]
distr.
-
The Penin-
sula
(p.
33).
Smith,
1919:
[as
Lutra
tarayensis Hodgs.]
'Other
specimens
of
this
otter
in
the
Raffles
Museum
are
from
Pulau
Rumbia
in
the
Straits
of
Malacca
off
the Selangor
Coast...'
(p.
46).
Hill,
1960.
Reporting
on
the
Robinson
collection (before
1926):
[as Lutrogale
perspicillata,
(Geoffrey)]
BMNH.55.1596,
male,
Port
Weld,
Larut,
Perak;
BMNH.55.1597,
male,
Kg.
Padang,
Tembeling,
Pahang
(p.
37).
Chasen,
1940:
Distr.
-
Malay Peninsula,
Sumatra
(p.
93).
Tate,
1947:
'...
occur
in
the
Malay
Peninsula'
(p.
157).
Harrison,
1964:
'...
is
not recorded
from
Borneo'
(p.
182).
Harrison,
1966:
'It
does
not
appear
to
be
very
common, and
is
not
recorded
from
Singapore.'
(p.
224);
known
from
Ma-
laya
(p.
332).
Wayre,
1974:
common
wherever
there was
a
suitable
habitat
in
Penang,
Langkawi,
Taman
Negara,
Kerteh
and
Rompin
rivers,
and
Pangkhor
Island.
Medway,
1977:
Lists three
records,
near
Sandakan;
Darvel
Bay;
Badang,
S.
Bahau,
East
Kalimantan
(p.
133).
Davies
&
Payne,
1982:
most
information
come from
chance
sightings
and
published
works;
large
otters
(L.
sumatrana
&
L.
perspicillata)
are
seen
along
the
Kinabatangan
river.
The
otters
are
not
regarded
as
sufficiently
rare
or
threatened
by
development
to warrent
special
conservation
methods
now
(p.
141-146).
Shariff,
1984:
Smooth
Otter
more
abundant
than
Small-
clawed
Otter
in
Kuala
Gula,
Perak, and
Taman
Negara,
Pahang.
Shariff,
1985:
Smooth Otter
in
Langkawi
Island;
Smooth

166
Otter and
Small-clawed
Otter
in
and around
rice
fields
at
Kampung
Pandak
Putih
Baru,
Perak.
Osman
&
Shariff,
1988:
Results
of
preliminary
survey
of
Pen-
insular
Malaysia
-
only
two
species
present,
Small-clawed
Otter
and Smooth
Otter.
Highest
numbers
of
otters
re-
ported
from
the
state
of
Kedah.
Nor,
1989:
the
Smooth
Otter
and
Small-clawed
Otter
inhabit
ricefields
of
Tanjung
Piandang,
Perak.
Hiscock,
R.,
1990:
large
otter
sighted,
possibly
Smooth
Otter,
but
could
be
Hairy-nosed
Otter
as
well
(see
also
Lim,
1990).
Foster-Turley
&
Santiapillai,
1990:
Common
throughout
Pen-
insular
Malaysia,
more
rare
in
East
Malaysia;
believed
ex-
tirpated
in
Singapore.
Yang
et
al.,
1990:
In
Singapore,
Smooth
Otter
-
status
doubt-
ful. (p.
13).
Nor,
1990a:
Only
the
Smooth
Otter
and
the
Small-clawed
Otter
found
during
survey
of northern
Malaysian
states.
No
other
species
observed.
Museum
records:
Borneo
Anon.,
20.IX.1895:
SM.A49.12
(SM.0174/8)
[Lutra
sumatrana],
female,
Kuching,
Sarawak.
Malaysia
and
Singapore
Cantor/East
India
Co.:
BMNH.1860.5.4.62,
female,
with
skull,
Malacca,
Malay
Penin.
Cantor/East
India
Co.:
BMNH.1860.5.4.63,
female,
with
skull,
Province
of
Wellesley
(Malacca).
Cantor/Indian
Mus.:
BMNH.1879.11.21.567,
female,
Pro-
vince
of
Wellesley
(Malacca).
Linnaea
&
Frankfurt:
BMNH.1884.3.14.1,
sex
uniden.,
Sa-
langa
Island,
Malacca.
Anon./Fed.
Malay
Sts
Mus.,
1919:
BMNH.1955.1596,
male,
Port
Weld,
Larut,
Perak.
Anon./Fed.
Malay
Sts
Mus.,
1922:
BMNH.1955.1597,
male,
Kg.
Padang,
Tembeling,
Pahang.
Mus.,
G.
T.,
2.111.1922:
ZRC.4.1183,
female,
Kg.
Tembeling,
Pahang,
Malaysia.
Nicholes,
D.
W.
A.,
28.VII.1938:
ZRC.4.1175,
male,
Lazarus
Island,
Singapore.
Anon.,
12.VII.1955:
SM.0173/3,
female(?),
Sungai
Mugang,
(locality
unknown).
Ng,
P.
K.
L.
et
al.,
VI.1991:
Tanjung
Karang
Road,
Kuala
Selangor,
Malaysia.
Records
of
Lutra
sumatrana.
Published
in
literature:
Cantor,
1846:
[as
L.
barang
Raffles]
"Mumrang'
or
'Amrang'
of
the
Malays
of
the
Peninsula.'
'The
Malayan
individuals
appear
to
attain
to
a
greater
size
than
the
Sumatran,
de-
scribed
by Raffles';
Distr.
-
Malayan
Peninsula,
Borneo
(p.
195).
Lydekker,
1894:
'The
hairy-nosed
otter
(L.
sumatrana)
is
a
very
well-marked
species
from
the Malayan
region
...
(p.
96).
Ridley,
1895:
Two
species
of
otter
have
been
met with
in
Singapore,
viz.,
Lutra
sumatrana
and
L.
leptonyx;
but
they
seem
to
be
rare,
and
little
is
known
about
them.
The Malays
often
call
them
'Anjing
Ayer'
(water
dogs)
(p.
94).
Flower,
1900:
'Recorded
from
the
Malay
Peninsula
by
Can-
tor,
and
from
Singapore
by
Ridley.
A
specimen
caught
in
Selangor
is
in
the
Museum
at
Kuala
Lumpur.';
Distr.
-
Malay
Peninsula
and
Islands
(p.
334).
Kloss,
1908:
included
in
the
provisional
list
of
mammals
of
the
peninsular
region.
Kloss,
1909:
Distr.
-
The Peninsula,
Singapore
and
Langkawi
Island.
(p.
33).
Chasen,
1924:
listed
in
checklist
of
mammals
of
Singapore;
'Otters
of
any
species
are
either
not
common
in
Singapore
or
adepts
at
concealment,
possibly
the latter.'
(p.
84).
Chasen,
1925a:
included
in
the
true Singapore
land fauna
(p.
88).
Banks,
1931:
occurs
in
Sarawak
(p.
60).
Chasen,
1940:
Distr.
-
Malay
States,
Sumatra,
Banka,
Borneo
(p.
93).
Davis,
1958.
Reporting
on
Harrisson's
collection
between
Sept.
1945
and
Dec.
1949:
One
male,
Pa
Umur,
3900
feet.
Collector's
note.
-
'In
small
rocky
brook.
The
animal
also
goes
into
jungle.
Food:
crabs
and
small
fish.'
(p.
133).
Tate,
1947:
'The
range
includes
the
whole
of
the Malay
Pen-
insula
...
It
also
occurs
on
Sumatra
...
and
on
Borneo'
(p.
157).
Banks,
1949:
listed
as
a
mammal
of
Borneo
(p.
40).
Harrison,
1969:
5
animals
collected
by
IMR
between
1947-
1957
(p.
175);
family
in
river
seen
in
an
area
of
disturbed
rainforest
at
Sg.
Buloh,
Selangor
(p.
176).
Harrison,
1964:
recorded
from
North
Borneo
(Sabah)
(p.
22).
Wayre,
1974:
'Medway
told
us
that
in
1964
a
Hairy-nosed
Otter
had
been
caught
by
Aborigines
near
Janda
Baik
in
the
Bentong
division
of
Pahang
at
approximately
550
metres
in
a
torrent
stream'
(p.
37).
Harrison,
1966:
'It
is
abundant
in
the
sea
off
Penang
Island.
It
is
also
recorded
from
Singapore,
but
not
from
the
sea
there.'
(p.
223);
'...
have
been
recorded
from
time
to time,
and
one
suspect
that
they
visit
here
from
the
mainland.'
(p.
6);
present
in
Penang
(p.
7);
known
from
Malaya
(p.
332).
Medway,
1977:
'...
specimens
indicate
that
this
otter
occurs
throughout
mainland
Borneo,
from
the
coast
to
small
streams
of
the
far
interior'
(p.
133).
Davies
&
Payne,
1982:
most
information
come
from
chance
sightings
and
published
works;
large
otters
(L.
sumatrana
&
L.
perspicillata)
are
seen
along
the
Kinabatangan
river.
The
otters
are
not regarded
as
sufficiently
rare or
threatened
by
development
to
warrent
special
conservation
methods
now
(p.
141-146).
Foster-Turley
&
Santiapillai,
1990:
'...
the
current
existence
of
...
the
Hairy-nosed
otter
...
is
unconfirmed',
in
Peninsular

167
Malaysia.
'In
Sabah
and
Sarawak,
...
at
least three
species
of
otter
occur',
including
the
Hairy-nosed
otter
(p.
58-9).
Foster-Turley
&
Santiapillai,
1990:
Not
reported
in
Peninsu-
lar recently,
possibly
still
present
in
remote
areas,
in
scat-
tered
localities
in
East
Malaysia;
believed
extirpated
in
Sin-
gapore.
Yang
et
al.,
1990:
In
Singapore,
current
status
unknown.
Nor,
1990a:
Only
the
Smooth Otter
and
the
Small-clawed
Otter
found
during
survey
of northern
Malaysian
states.
No
other
species
observed.
Foster-Turley
&
Santiapillai,
1990:
The
current
existence
of
the
Eurasian
otter
on
Peninsular
Malaysia
is
unconfirmed.
(p.
58);
Listed
in
distribution
map
as
'maybe
extinct'
in
Peninsular
Malaysia
and
Singapore.
Museum
records
(sp.?):
see
Payne
et
al.
(1985:
280).
Anon,
18.XI.1959:
SM.0173/4
[Lutra
sumatrana],
male,
Bai
Rio,
Kelabit,
Sarawak.
Anon,
29.111.1961:
SM.0173/2
[uniden.],
male,
Bai
Rio,
Kelabit,
Sarawak.
Museum
records:
Borneo
Low:
BMNH.
1876.9.20.4,
male,
with
skull,
Mengalong
River,
'North
Borneo' (Sabah),
Type
lowii.
Pryer:
BMNH.1880.4.15.1,
sex
uniden.,
with
skull,
Sanda-
kan,
North
Broneo
(Sabah).
Hose,
1894:
BMNH.1939.1786,
female,
with
skull,
Palau
Laut,
Baram
River,
Sarawak.
Kidd
&
Medway,
1976:
BMNH.1978.40:
sex
uniden.,
skull
only,
Bandar
Seri
Begawan,
Brunei.
Anon.,
26.VI.1894:
SM.A49.11,
female,
Kuching,
Sarawak.
Barlow,
G.
P.,
23.VI.1896:
SM.A49.14
(SM.0174/9)
[Lutra
cinerea],
sex
uniden.,
Matu,
Sarawak.
Anon.,
18.IX.1949:
SM.uncatalogued,
female(?),
Kuching,
Sarawak.
Malaysia
and
Singapore
Stevens:
BMNH.1839.11.11.8,
female,
with
skull,
Singapore.
Cantor:
BMNH.1850.10.5.7,
female,
with
skull,
Malacca.
Cantor/India
Mus.:
BMNH.
1879.11.21.211,
male,
skull
only,
Malacca.
Cantor/India
Mus.:
BMNH.
1879.11.21.266,
male,
with
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Malacca.
Cantor/India
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BMNH.1879.11.21.565,
sex
uniden.,
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Anon/Indian
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BMNH.1887.2.18.3,
sex
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iden.,
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Lim,
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Jugra
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Marrimutta,
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juv. male,
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lutra.
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Flower,
1900:
[as
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vulgaris
Erxl.]
'In
the
Raffles
Mu-
seum,
there
are
three
Otters
labelled
Lutra
vulgaris,
from
Singapore
and
Malacca,
but
I
have
not
been able
to
exam-
ine
the
6specimens
myself.';
Distr.
-
Europe and
Asia,
in
suitable
localities
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334).
Miller,
1900:
[as
Lutra barang
F.
Cuvier]
'One
adult
female,
Pulo Lankawi,
December
10,
1899.
Measurements:
total
length,
1090:
head
and
body,
673;
tail
vetebrae,
419;
hind
foot,
128.'
(as
referenced
by
Medway,
1983).
Chasen,
1940:
Distr.
-
L.
.
lutra,
extralimital;
L.
1.
barang,
Sumatra,
Java
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92).
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