Japanese River Otter
Encyclopedia
The Japanese river otter (Lutra lutra whiteleyi; Japanese
: 日本獺, 日本川獺 Nihon Kawauso or Nippon Kawauso) is a variety of otter
formerly widespread in Japan
. Dating back to the 1880s, it was even seen in Tokyo
. The population suddenly shrank in the 1930s, and the mammal nearly vanished. Since then, it has only been spotted several times, in 1964 in the Seto Inland Sea, and in the Uwa Sea in 1972 and 1973. The last official sighting of one was in the southern part of Kochi Prefecture
in 1979, when it was photographed in the mouth of the Shinjo River in Susaki. While it is considered by many to already be extinct, it is currently classified as a "Critically Endangered" species in the Japanese Red Data Book. It is the official animal symbol of Ehime Prefecture
.
In December 1991, the Environmental Agency of Japan
in partnership with the Kochi Prefecture government assembled a research team of experts and began their search. In March 1992, the research group found hair and excrement in the Kochi Prefecture and believed to have come from an otter. Also found were three footprints, and 10 additional excrement samples. After an analysis of a cross-section of the hair, the researchers determined that it came from an otter. An official from the agency’s wildlife protection section stated that the hair is “scientifically solid evidence that confirms the existence of the Japanese Otter.”
In 1994, zoological experts visited the area where the excrement was found. They discovered remains of the animal’s urine, which the animal is believed to leave during its courtship. The prefecture government of Kochi set up an infrared camera for six months from October 1994 to April 1995 in an effort to capture it on film, but all that was recorded were animals such as raccoon dog
s.
Between 4 and 9 March 1996, a group of zoo officials, municipal government officials and animals lovers from across the country searched for the river otter in the areas where finds have been made in the past. Such areas included coastal areas in Susaki, areas along the Niyodo River running through Sakawacho and Inocho, and coastal areas along Shimanto River
. No evidence of the animal’s existence was found.
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
: 日本獺, 日本川獺 Nihon Kawauso or Nippon Kawauso) is a variety of otter
Otter
The Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
formerly widespread in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Dating back to the 1880s, it was even seen in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. The population suddenly shrank in the 1930s, and the mammal nearly vanished. Since then, it has only been spotted several times, in 1964 in the Seto Inland Sea, and in the Uwa Sea in 1972 and 1973. The last official sighting of one was in the southern part of Kochi Prefecture
Kochi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku. The capital is the city of Kōchi.- History :Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi was known as Tosa Province and was controlled by the Chosokabe clan in the Sengoku period and the Yamauchi family during the Edo period.- Geography...
in 1979, when it was photographed in the mouth of the Shinjo River in Susaki. While it is considered by many to already be extinct, it is currently classified as a "Critically Endangered" species in the Japanese Red Data Book. It is the official animal symbol of Ehime Prefecture
Ehime Prefecture
is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, Japan. The capital is Matsuyama.-History:Until the Meiji Restoration, Ehime prefecture was known as Iyo Province...
.
Physical characteristics
Fully grown, a Japanese otter is between 65-80 centimetres long, with a tail measuring 45-50 centimetres. It has a thick, lush coat of dark brown fur with short webbed feet.Habits
A nocturnal creature, an otter only leaves its den after dark to forage for food. Claiming a territory about ten miles in diameter, it marks the area with its droppings about one to three miles apart and sets up three or four nests under rocks or inside bushes. An otter is always on the move, visiting each den only once every three to four days.Diet
Like most otters, the Japanese river otter is not an especially picky eater. While it primarily feeds on fish, crab, and shrimp; it will also eat eels, beetles, watermelons, and sweet potatoes.Efforts to prove its existence
Throughout the early to mid-1990s, there have been several attempts to locate a surviving Japanese river otter.In December 1991, the Environmental Agency of Japan
Ministry of the Environment (Japan)
The ' of Japan was formed in 2001 from the sub-cabinet level Environmental Agency established in 1971. The minister is a member of the Cabinet and is chosen by the Prime Minister, usually from the Diet., the current is Goshi Hosono...
in partnership with the Kochi Prefecture government assembled a research team of experts and began their search. In March 1992, the research group found hair and excrement in the Kochi Prefecture and believed to have come from an otter. Also found were three footprints, and 10 additional excrement samples. After an analysis of a cross-section of the hair, the researchers determined that it came from an otter. An official from the agency’s wildlife protection section stated that the hair is “scientifically solid evidence that confirms the existence of the Japanese Otter.”
In 1994, zoological experts visited the area where the excrement was found. They discovered remains of the animal’s urine, which the animal is believed to leave during its courtship. The prefecture government of Kochi set up an infrared camera for six months from October 1994 to April 1995 in an effort to capture it on film, but all that was recorded were animals such as raccoon dog
Raccoon Dog
The raccoon dog , also known as the magnut or tanuki, is a canid indigenous to east Asia. It is the only extant species in the genus Nyctereutes...
s.
Between 4 and 9 March 1996, a group of zoo officials, municipal government officials and animals lovers from across the country searched for the river otter in the areas where finds have been made in the past. Such areas included coastal areas in Susaki, areas along the Niyodo River running through Sakawacho and Inocho, and coastal areas along Shimanto River
Shimanto River
The is a river in western Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. 196 km in length, it has a watershed of 2,270 km².Since the river is remote from major cities and does not have any dams, it is sometimes referred to as "the last clear stream of Japan". Fishing and production of nori is a thriving...
. No evidence of the animal’s existence was found.