© Emil Barbelette
As recently as 2012, the Japanese Otter was officially declared extinct, and of the 13 species across the world, nine are declining in numbers.
In the IUCN Red List, five species are classed as Endangered and two as Vulnerable, meaning that they are facing a high or very high risk of extinction in the wild.
The Eurasian otter, the only species which we have in the UK, is overall classed as Near Threatened, despite recent rises in UK populations, but in Asia it is believed to be critically endangered.
Asia forms about 80 per cent of the geographical range of the Eurasian otter. In parts of China it is almost extinct and in the Changbaishan Mountain Reserve numbers went down from 1.2 million in 1975 to just 4 in 2012 - a decline of over 99 per cent.
There have been no sightings of the species since the early 1990s in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam and most of India. Even in Europe it is declining in some areas.
Comment: Other 'rare' coyote attacks across north America (past year): Coyote attacks two residents in Groveland, MA
3 residents attacked by possibly sick coyote in Fremont, California
Brampton woman attacked by coyote, Canada
Dog killed and owner injured in coyote attack in Mississauga, Canada
Dozens of pets killed by coyotes in College Park, Florida
Coyote attacks second young girl in Rye, New York
More 'rare' urban coyote attacks on Indiana dogs
Spike in coyote attacks on animal pets in Claremont, California
Coyotes killing pets in Seal Beach, California
Woman and dogs attacked by coyote in front of her Kilworthy home, Ontario
Attacks in 2013: Colorado man fights off 3 coyotes using flashlight as weapon
Man attacked by coyotes in Washington State
Coyote shot dead after 3 attack a British Columbia woman, Canada
3-year-old Chicago boy attacked by a coyote
Girl, 2, attacked by coyote in Cypress Cemetery, California