THE STATUS OF THE EURASIAN OTTER (LUTRA LUTRA) IN CENTRAL ASIA: A LITERATURE REVIEW


LE STATUT DE LA LOUTRE EURASIENNE (LUTRA LUTRA) EN ASIE CENTRALE: UNE REVUE DE LA LITTÉRATURE
СТАТУС ЕВРАЗИЙСКОЙ ВЫДРЫ (LUTRA LUTRA) В ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ АЗИИ: ЛИТЕРАТУРНЫЙ ОБЗОР
Savage M. Oleynikov A. Sedash G. Fei L.
2025IUCN Otter Specialist Group

IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
2025#42Issue 3106 - 119 pp.

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is rare in Central Asia. Otter populations are small and fragmented and appear to be declining in most parts of the region. Diminishing freshwater resources, high human population density in river valleys, river pollution, and a weak focus on nature conservation, make the long-term survival of the species in the region highly threatened. Here, we review the available literature about the Eurasian otter from recent decades in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and far northwestern China. Central Asia can be considered a “white spot” in terms of otter research, with extremely limited available data suggesting a compelling need for further study and conservation measures.

Central Asia , Central Asian otter , Eurasian otter , Lutra lutra , Lutra lutra seistanica

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University of California, Los Angeles, United States
Institute of Zoology, Kazakhstan
Ilbirs Foundation, Kyrgyzstan
Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden, Hong Kong

University of California
Institute of Zoology
Ilbirs Foundation
Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden

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