This subspecies of the Eurasian River Otter (Lutra lutra (L.)) was apparently restricted to the island of Hokkaido, Japan.

The taxonomic status of the otter forms that are known from Japan is somewhat confusing, those forms that are (or were) found on the islands of Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku are currently considered a distinct, endemic species: Japanese River Otter (Lutra nippon Imaizumi & Yoshiyuki).

The Hokkaido River Otter was last seen during the 1950s and is now extinct.

*********************

edited: 01.08.2022