A Hong Kong, A group of scientists has discovered signs of the presence of a species of otter that is considered extremely rare in the waters north of Lantau Island, an area where this species was believed to have disappeared since the 1960s.
A genetic analysis was performed on dried excrement the size of a dollar coin, found on the island of Hermano Oriental, which allowed conservationists to confirm the existence of the Eurasian otter, considered one of the rarest mammals in the region.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED: A half-female, half-male bird is discovered in Colombia
Specialists suggest that Eurasian otters, which require fresh water for their basic needs, could be found on the northern coast of Lantau. This island, the largest among the 263 in Hong Kong, It features a rich variety of ecosystems, from mangroves to grasslands, that offer opportunities for hunting and nesting.
In addition, Experts emphasize that marine habitats for these species have been ignored for years, underscoring the urgency of analyzing the impact of future developments in northern Lantau on these endangered animals.
Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is a species classified as “near threatened” at a global level, with a wide distribution that covers the Palearctic and Eastern regions, from western Europe and northern Africa to the North Pacific and Southeast Asia. In China, this species has experienced a drastic reduction in its range and abundance from the 1950s to the 1980s, attributed to sustained nationwide hunting, habitat loss, water pollution, and declines in prey.
Since its rediscovery in the Mai Po Nature Reserve in the 1980s, observations of this elusive species have been sporadic, with confirmed records restricted to the northwest of the New Territories area. The freshwater otter has been listed as a species of conservation concern in the region.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED: There is a high risk of extinction of endemic trees in the Amazon
GG
