In a new study, researchers have unveiled the devastating impact of the pet trade on the smooth-coated otter population. The study, published in the journal of the International Otter Survival Fund, highlights the alarming consequences of this illicit trade, which imperils the survival of these creatures.

The study sheds light on an incident that unfolded last year when a male smooth-coated otter was discovered inside an abandoned Mumbai mill. This discovery exposed the dark underbelly of the illegal pet trade, with the otter becoming a casualty of its treacherous web.