Japanese River Otter

The Japanese River Otter, a member of the weasel family, reaches approximately 70 centimeters (28 inches) in length. The creature once widely inhabited midstream and downstream regions along rivers throughout Japan. However, its number has drastically diminished due to excessive pelt hunting.

The last official sighting of the Japanese River Otter was in the southern part of Kochi Prefecture in 1979, and since that time, no sighting of the otter has ever been confirmed. An official search to ensure its survival has recently gone under way.

The Japanese River Otter is currently classified as a ,Critically Endangered, species in the Red Data Book.

The species was eventually considered to be the real source of the Japanese mythological figure, “Kappa”. Assembly instructions for paper sculptures of the Japanese River Otter as well as photo images of completed sculptures may be downloaded at this web site.

Sightings of Witness of Japanese River Otter have not been recorded since 1979.
However, research to verify of its existence is still being continued today.