Smooth-coated otter spotted at Maharashtra’s Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary

Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata). PIC/ROSHAN POTE

There's good news for birdwatchers visiting Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary, an important Ramsar wetland in Nashik, with visitors spotting a smooth-coated otter in the area. Such sightings are rare, making it a special and encouraging moment for wildlife enthusiasts. The smooth-coated otter is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, which gives it the highest level of legal protection, similar to that of the tiger.

The 800.96 ha sanctuary is of ecological importance, a Ramsar site located near Niphad in the Nashik district. Known for hosting a wide variety of migratory birds during winter. A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Range Forest Officer (RFO) Hiralal Chaudhari from the sanctuary told mid-day that finding a smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) at the site is a fantastic sign of a healthy wetland ecosystem.

"These elusive mammals, locally known as Pan-manjar, are the secret stars of the Godavari-Kadwa confluence. In late December 2025, tourists and forest officials reported multiple sightings of otters active in the sanctuary during the winter chill, and later I was also lucky to spot the otter a few weeks back," said RFO Chaudhari.