HAIKOU, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- An Asian small-clawed otter was recently spotted foraging at a forest farm in south China's Hainan province, expanding the known habitats of the species in China and indicating the island's improving ecological environment.
Analysis of the infrared camera data from the Baolong forest farm in the city of Sanya confirmed that the animal belongs to the world's smallest otter species, which is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and under China's national Class II protection.
This species was once widely distributed across the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. Since 2000, confirmed wild population records in China have only been documented in three locations: Xishuangbanna and Dehong in Yunnan Province, and Diaoluo Mountain in Hainan. The latest discovery provides a new distribution record for the species in the country.
The discovery was made jointly by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, and Haikou Duotan Wetlands Institute.
Hui Ka Yiu, a member of the research team, said the Asian small-clawed otter is an apex predator in river ecosystems and plays a vital role in keeping wetland ecosystems balanced.
"The species is highly sensitive to water quality and habitat conditions, and is widely recognized as an indicator of environmental health," Hui said. "Its stable presence in Hainan is clear evidence that the province's long-running ecological conservation efforts are paying off."
Hainan, designated as a national ecological civilization pilot zone, is one of the regions with the best ecological quality nationwide. In the past six years, the province has built over 2,000 hectares and restored over 3,300 hectares of mangroves, a vital coastal wetland ecosystem.
Hu Zhongmin, dean of the School of Ecology at Hainan University, said Hainan has been advancing conservation efforts in recent years through initiatives such as the protection of the tropical rainforest and the restoration of mangroves and wetlands.
"The appearance of the Asian small-clawed otter at a new site shows that the quality of its habitat in Hainan has been genuinely enhanced," said Hu. ■
