In a landmark moment for wildlife conservation, the Asian small-clawed otter – the smallest otter species in the world – has been rediscovered in Nepal after 185 years. This remarkable sighting, made in November 2024 by Divisional Forest Officials in Dadeldhura district, marks a significant milestone in a growing, community-led movement to protect otter populations and river ecosystems in the Lower Karnali Watershed.

The rediscovery comes at the halfway point of a three-year conservation initiative led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), which focuses on strengthening otter populations and supporting the Indigenous communities that depend on the river for their livelihoods. The project, situated along the Lower Karnali River, aims to tackle the key threats facing otters, including habitat loss, overfishing, pollution, and illegal extraction of river resources.

At the heart of this initiative are the Sonaha and Tharu communities, whose ancestral ties to the Karnali River run deep. “The river has been a way of life for us. We Sonaha live by the river and perish by the river,” said village head of the Sonaha community. These communities have fished the river sustainably for generations but are now witnessing the pressures of modern exploitation.

Illegal fishing practices and the extraction of sand, gravel, and stone from the riverbed have degraded fish spawning sites, reduced fish populations, and jeopardized both the ecosystem and traditional livelihoods. In response, WWF and local partners have launched a grassroots approach that prioritizes community leadership in conservation.

Fifteen Community River Stretch Management Groups have been formed to patrol river segments, prevent illegal fishing, and raise awareness about eco-friendly practices. More than 375 local residents have received training on traditional fishing gear, fish breeding cycles, and sustainable resource management.

In addition to conservation training, the project supports alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on the river. Households have been encouraged and assisted in launching small businesses such as vegetable farming, duck rearing, tea shops, and handicrafts, which utilize local knowledge without exploiting river resources.

Citizen science is also playing a vital role. A new “Smooth-Coated Otter Identification and Monitoring Protocol” has been developed to empower locals in monitoring otter populations. This inclusive approach has led to better understanding and tracking of species in the area.

The rediscovery of the Asian small-clawed otter—found near the confluence of the Rangun and Puntara Rivers—is a symbol of hope. Though once believed to have vanished from Nepal, this juvenile sighting suggests that the elusive species may still have a foothold in the region.

Experts believe this finding could pave the way for more in-depth conservation planning. An Otter Conservation Action Plan is now in progress, with the aim of providing long-term guidance for protecting all three otter species found in Nepal: the smooth-coated otter, Eurasian otter, and now the rediscovered Asian small-clawed otter.

This project demonstrates that conservation is most effective when it centers the voices and knowledge of those who have long coexisted with nature.

The return of the world’s smallest otter to Nepal may be a small sighting—but it signals a mighty step forward in a model of conservation driven by communities, for communities, and for the fragile ecosystems they call home.