Mysore/Mysuru: World Otter Day was celebrated by the Forest Department at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district recently.

DCF (Wildlife), Mysuru Division, B.M. Sharana Basappa inaugurated the programme and said that World Otter Day is celebrated across the globe on May 29 every year, with a thrust on conservation of various species of sea otters. Over the years, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary has evolved as the habitat of otters, he added.

As a resource person, Dr. Vidyadhar Atkore of Landscape Ecology Department, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore, spoke on various species of otters and methods for conservation of these mammals.

As part of the event, students of Cambridge Public School, Srirangapatna, took part in a boat ride, nature walk and planting of saplings. A drawing competition was also conducted, along with an orientation programme on preparing for civil services examination.

In-charge Range Forest Officer (RFO – Wildlife) M.R. Dhanyashree, DRFO Puttamade Gowda and school teachers were present.