The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is found across South and South-east Asia. It occurs in suitable habitat across most of India and prefers freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, wetlands etc, though it is also known to occur in salt water along with the coastal areas. It is a large otter weighing about 7-11 kg and growing up to 38-42 inches in length. Fish is the preferred diet of this species.
In Corbett Tiger Reserve, Smooth Indian Otter is found in River Ramganga and its tributaries. There are recent reports of its occurrence from River Kosi in the Ramnagar Forest Division, along the eastern boundary of the reserve.
On 16th February 2019, while on a drive to Jhirna Tourism Zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Jim’s Jungle Retreat Naturalists Rakesh Bhatt and Pan Singh, who were accompanying Ms. Kirsty Norman and Mr. Paul Bolding, saw a Smooth Indian Otter in Jhirna Sot near Jhirna Forest Resthouse. A video of the otter that was catching fish in the shallow water of the stream was taken. This is the first documented record of the species occurring in Jhirna Tourism Zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve.