Srinagar, June 21 -- Eurasian otters--thought to be extinct since the past three to four decades-- have been sighted again. The reappearance has rekindled the hope of their revival.

In the past three years, there have been five-six sightings of these otters in the rivers and streams in Gurez north Kashmir, Srigufwara South Kashmir and Herpora Wildlife sanctuary in Shopian south Kashmir.

Eurasian otters, locally known as Vuder, are indicators of high quality aquatic habitat and are flagship species.

Earlier this month, the villagers at Srigufwara sighted an animal in the water which they thought was crocodile. Since Kashmir and its climatic conditions aren't feasible for crocodiles, wildlife teams began search in the Srigufwara area alo...