Smooth Coated Otter.

 A Special Cover on the Smooth Coated Otter was released on 8th October 2021 at Bengaluru as part of the 67th Wild Week Celebrations.

Smooth- coated Otter (Lutrogale perpicillata) is an Otter species occurring in most of the Indian subcontinent and SouthEast Asia. It is one of the three Otter species found in India. Smooth-coated Otters, though being the top predators of our riverine habitats, are threatened by poaching for pelt and other body parts. This special cover is released to create an awareness among the public to protect this species which is listed as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List and also listed in the Part II of Schedule II of Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Tungabhadra Otter Conservation Reserve, near Hampi, Karnataka is the first Protected Area in India declared for the conservation of Otters.

Cover Code: KTK/49/2021

Courtesy: Suresh Rao, Bengaluru.