A smooth-coated otter was trapped on the concrete superstructure of Girijapuri barrage
Forest personnel lowered a rescue net over the barrage frame, secured the exhausted animal and later released it deep within its core forest habitat.
Divisional forest officer (DFO) Apoorv Dixit told TOI the rescued gharial was an adult female, slightly over three metres from head to tail while the otter was also an adult. “The forest department has placed all range teams on high alert, intensifying shoreline patrols to monitor surging currents and prevent potential human-wildlife conflicts,” the DFO said. The first alert arrived at dawn when an adult gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) was swept out of Kauriyala river by strong currents and ended up inside a crowded irrigation department complex. The rapid response team cordoned off the premises and dispersed curious onlookers to minimise stress to the reptile. Rescuers employed non-invasive herding and guiding techniques, smoothly directing the gharial back into deep waters. Moments after the first rescue mission, the team received an SOS regarding a smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) trapped on the concrete superstructure of Girijapuri barrage. Perched precariously above raging floodwaters, the otter faced the risk of being washed downstream toward populated villages, which would have permanently severed it from its clan.