Tracking otters along the Cauvery

A documentary on otters reveals the connections between rivers, wildlife, and human livelihoods, showing why biodiversity conservation must extend beyond national parks, writes Seshadri K S

Every time I go out birdwatching, there is invariably someone who spots a sunbird and identifies it as a “hummingbird!” Generally, if one were to ask people about the exotic kangaroo or the beaver, we would likely get an elaborate answer about the animal. But asking about the smooth-coated otter, for instance, may result in a blank stare. This is a consequence of a plethora of accessible wildlife documentaries. As a result, we end up learning a lot about animals that do not exist around us.

India has a phenomenal diversity of life, and in recent years, there has been a sharp up tick in world-class wildlife documentaries made by home-grown filmmakers. These filmmakers spare no expense in documenting and sharing the grandeur of nature.

Recently, two Bengaluru-based naturalists and filmmakers, Sugandhi Gadadhar and Raghunath ‘Rana’ Belur, screened one such documentary, My Otter Diary. They focus on the smooth-coated otter along the river Cauvery and have spent over five years trailing a family of otters.

Otters are a group of semi-aquatic carnivorous mammals. There are 13 species of otters in the world today, and the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is widespread across India and parts of southeast Asia. Measuring about a metre long, they are stockily built with prominent whiskers and a curious way of popping their heads out of water or standing on their hind legs to peer at a perceived threat. Their sharp teeth can tear into fish or crack open crabs. While they can be shy, they are often encountered along sandy riverbanks, where they spread out, usually with their family.

Following an illusion

Maya, a female otter, is the protagonist in this documentary, filmed between Srirangapattana and Shivanasamudra. Maya and her family are followed by Sugandhi in a coracle navigated by Shivu, a local fisherman, who, apart from providing profound insights into the life of the river, also chimes in with comic timing and rather sarcastic wit.

The filmmakers had first encountered otters while filming another documentary in the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary. “Navigating the mighty Tungabhadra was a challenge. This, with other logistical issues, made us look for otters in other areas,” Sugandhi explained. “Eventually, a friend of ours who had worked along the river recommended we try the Cauvery. And since we moved to the Cauvery, we have not looked back,” she added, emphatically.

The documentary goes beyond otters, with footage that seamlessly transitions between the river, other forms of biodiversity, Maya and her family, and the filmmaker herself. This, combined with the narration and music, transports the audience as if they are amidst the otters.

Life underwater

Observing wildlife is a painstaking process. “We wanted to see how otters move underwater. The Cauvery is murky with pollution and sediments. So, we had to find these otters, place the underwater cameras, and wait for the otters to show up and hope they move in front of the camera. There were many days when we would get nothing on camera,” explained Rana.

The filmmakers have invested an enormous amount of time in entering the otter universe — using underwater cameras, remotely triggered cameras, and spending countless days just waiting for some action. “Smooth-coated otters are not rare but can be elusive, and the film has painstakingly documented their behaviour, which is valuable,” explained Nisarg Prakash, a wildlife biologist who has studied otters.

Conflicts and conservation

Rivers are what are called socio-ecological systems — they exist at the intersection of being natural and being used by humans. The documentary looks at this intersection without hesitation and brings out elements of discord.

The fisherfolk and the otters both require fish, and this is often a point of conflict. Shivu, who is a fisherman, explains how the conflict has increased in recent times. “I have seen fishermen retaliate in different ways — they have set fire to otter dens, thrown dynamite inside, and put out snares,” he said.

The number of fisherfolk has also gone up, and the riparian habitats where otters make dens are being reduced. Shivu has moved away from fishing over the years and now works part-time in T Narasipura in Mysuru district to eke out a living.

“Otters continue to be poached in many places, and this film shows why it is important to conserve this apex predator and their increasingly fragile habitats,” Nisarg emphasised. The documentary could serve as a bedrock to identify and declare parts of the river Cauvery as an ‘Otter Conservation Reserve’ and ensure the habitat is protected from rampant land-use change.

A bevy of otters pictured on the Tungabhadra River.

Regional documentaries

No number of scientific papers will nudge people towards conservation as effectively as a well-told story. While being incredibly educational, My Otter Diary effectively tugs at one’s heartstrings, making it accessible to audiences regardless of age or prior knowledge.

A case in point was when a primary school child asked insightful questions about otters at the premiere at Swagath Shankar Nag Theatre, which was attended by nearly 550 people in May. The documentary also delicately portrays the complexities of biodiversity conservation by forcing the viewer to look through the lens of the otter, the river, and the people who depend on it.

“What I liked about this film is how Rana and Sugandhi, much like Krupakar and Senani in their Wild Dog Diaries, follow the subject closely and let the observations script a compelling story arc,” said Kalyan Varma, a renowned filmmaker. “It takes courage to spend years following a single family and hope that the story evolves, especially when the industry is becoming increasingly commercial,” he said. The documentary has already received two nominations under the 'In country production' and 'Music' categories at the upcoming Wildscreen Panda Awards, 2025. This prestigious award is often referred to as the 'green Oscars'

My Otter Diary can inspire individuals, as well as organisations, to create more such documentaries that offer a glimpse into the lives of local biodiversity. Such bodies of work are not merely records of nature but are ways to ignite new waves of conservationists.

A poster of the documentary My Otter Diary. 

When done right, these documentaries can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the vibrant natural world right in our backyards — especially among children, and ultimately, policymakers.

Rana and Sugandhi are already working on a Kannada version of their documentary to be screened among the local communities along the river. Such efforts are integral. They compel us to ask: What is our role in ensuring balance?

While awareness is the first step, it must be followed by meaningful engagement between people holding diverse views and the administration. Only then can the needle be moved towards conservation, and only then can finding a middle ground for both the otters and the fisherfolk becomes plausible.

My Otter Diary will be screened at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru, on July 11, 2024, at 4 pm. 

(The author is an ecologist and faculty member at ATREE)