Aonyx cinerea is threatened by hunting, habitat degradation and fragmentation which is also causing a loss of its prey species.
Also known as the Oriental small-clawed otter, the Berang-berang cakar kecil or the Kuching air. The the short clawed asian otter is found in Sumatra, Riau and Lingga Islands, Kalimantan, Laut, Java and Karimunjawa Islands; possibly Mentawai Islands. The Asian small clawed otter occurs in rivers, creeks, estuaries, and coastal waters.
Aonyx cinerea is considered as a "Lower Risk" sub-category "near threatened" species by the IUCN. CITES lists the species as "Appendix 2".