Sunday, December 9, 2012

Asian Small-clawed otter current status & distribution


What is the current status of the Asian Small-clawed otter in its home range?  What is the home range of the Asian Small-clawed otter? 

They are currently listed at Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) red list. Their populations are decreasing due to many factors including habitat loss, overfishing, as well as still being hunted for their pelts. Lending further argument to the need to conserve these otters is that they were classed in 2004 as near threatened, the class above vulnerable. River pollution in their home range(s) affects their primary fish food source, so these otters are exceptionally susceptible to polluted waters.  Their home range is wide; extending from India to Southeast Asia and northward to the Phillippines and Taiwan; even extending into southern China.  Interestingly enough, according to the IUCN, there is also a population of wild ASCOs in England that has established itself after escaping from captivity.

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