A rare and encouraging development has been recorded in Kyrgyzstan. After many years of absence, the presence of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) has once again been confirmed. The species plays a critical role in maintaining the health of freshwater ecosystems. As a top predator, the otter regulates populations of fish and other aquatic organisms, contributing to the ecological balance and resilience of rivers and lakes. Its disappearance has long been regarded as a warning sign of the degradation of water resources and riparian forests.

Previous studies and reports by the Ilbirs Public Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic indicated that the Eurasian otter had effectively disappeared from the country. With support from UNDP under the GEF Small Grants Programme, the Ilbirs Foundation conducted extensive field research in the Chon-Alay district. Researchers surveyed mountain rivers, engaged with local communities, installed camera traps, carried out chemical and biological water analyses, and studied fish populations and terrestrial vertebrates. The findings confirmed that, at that time, no stable breeding population of otters existed in Kyrgyzstan.

The last reliable records of the species dated back to the Kyzyl-Suu river basin, where the otter eventually disappeared due to poaching, the expansion of trout farms, and the degradation of riparian forests. Until recently, experts and government institutions shared the view that the species was either on the brink of extinction or had already vanished from the country. In an official communication, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic expressed serious concern and called for expanded research on other rivers nationwide.

The situation changed recently when staff of the Khan-Tengri State Nature Park reported an unexpected sighting of a single Eurasian otter on the Turuk River, which flows along the border with the Republic of Kazakhstan. The river originates in the glaciers of the Terskey Ala-Too range and flows into the Karkara River. This observation represents a significant breakthrough and suggests that other individuals may have survived in remote and hard-to-access river sections.

“The disappearance of the otter is a signal that our rivers are losing their resilience. Today’s finding brings hope that the species can still be conserved,” said Zairbek Kubanychbekov, Director of the Ilbirs Public Foundation. According to him, the confirmed presence of the otter could mark the beginning of a new phase of scientific research and practical conservation measures. “We hope that this observation will initiate systematic efforts to protect the otter and restore its natural habitat,” he emphasized.

The Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kyrgyz Republic highlighted the broader significance of the finding. 

“The recording of the Eurasian otter is important for biodiversity conservation in Kyrgyzstan. This species is a sensitive indicator of the condition of freshwater ecosystems. In this context, further comprehensive studies of the Turuk River and adjacent areas are needed to determine whether the observed individual was a solitary migrant or whether a stable resident population has been preserved in the region,” the Ministry noted.

The otter research project in Kyrgyzstan demonstrates how a science-based approach, community engagement, and partnerships supported by UNDP can reshape understanding of conservation challenges and open new opportunities for biodiversity protection. The country now has a real chance not only to confirm the presence of this rare species, but also to develop comprehensive measures for its protection, and, if necessary, future reintroduction.

The appearance of even a single individual is a small but critically important step toward conserving the Eurasian otter and restoring the health of Kyrgyzstan’s freshwater ecosystems. 

The Small Grants Programme (SGP) is a programme of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Its main goal is to fund community-based and non-profit initiatives that address global environmental challenges while improving people’s well-being and living conditions. The SGP provides grants for projects in areas such as biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, land degradation prevention and sustainable forest management, international waters, and chemicals.

The SGP is an important tool for supporting local “green” initiatives that contribute to solving global challenges, demonstrating that local actions can lead to significant positive change.