Finding Otters at the backwaters of Pondicherry

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Expedition Background 

We are group of people with great interest for exploration and understanding nature in a mission to identify and map potential hotspot to spot Sea Otters at the backwaters of Pondicherry. This is a citizen scientist initiative to explore potential places to spot sea otters and educate citizens about the need for conserving such marine species. This will help us to reach out to different stakeholders in the process of discovering & conservation of this endangered species. Photo & video documentation are done with Canon EOS 77D. 

SPOT 1 - Nallavaadu beach & backwater
Every time we camp at beaches of Pondicherry, fisherfolk often reported that they encounter Kadal Naai (as they call it in the Tamil language), which is Sea Otter in English. Hence with the help of fisherfolks we mapped few hotspots where Sea Otters are often spotted around the backwaters of Nallavaadu fishermen village at Pondicherry, India. On March 30, with the help of local fishermen Parandhaman we camped near the backwaters. As planned, we started our coastal walk around 5 am with high curiosity to look for sea otters across the shore. Though we were not able to spot any otters, this camp gave many beautiful insights into marine life. We were welcomed by Jellyfish, River Tern, Cormorant, Greater Egret, and Grey heron. 
hence one of our many expeditions started with this beautiful and less explored coastal village. 




SPOT 2 A - Puthukuppam Beach & Backwater North
As an extension of our previous visit to SPOT 1 the Sea Otters of Pondicherry; we picked the Puthukuppam beach as our next ground to explore hotspots to spot Sea Otters in wild. Nevertheless, Puthukuppam has surprised us with many other potentials. It was a 2 km walk along the backwaters covered with mangroves, oak forest, and small pits and ponds. Mangroves were rich and hosted many black-winged stilts and marsh sandpipers. Again, no sign of sea otters though, but the potential territory of the same has been identified. Crabs shell identified near the shore of backwaters; which might be remains of otter food.
Spotted the following; Black-winged stilt Indian roller River Tern Marsh Sandpiper Black-crowned Night Heron Dead turtle
Such explorations are greatly aiding us in better understanding the ecosystem of backwaters and species depend on them.
We are nearing the Otters..!!




SPOT 2B - Puthukuppam backwaters - South.
Now we are at the South side of SPOT 2A, i.e., south of north Puthukuppam beach. We chose a different route this time. We planned to walk along the backwater as we did at North (refer SPOT 2A), but here shores do not have enough area to walk since they adjoin with trees and bushes.
Our group certainly caught some attention among the locals as well. A local shepherd recollected the spots where he has seen otters before. From him, it found that they live inside the small islands located in the middle of backwaters. He suggested taking local fishermen boats to check small islands in the middle. As we moved along the marshland, we spotted quite a few mud creepers spread across along the shore of the backwater. 
Other important criteria that would determine our probability to spot otters are highland. Highlands gives a wide view over the backwaters. Here we identified one such spot. Hoping to get some fisherfolk's help to reach the middle islands on next field visit.




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