Hunting pressure for its valuable fur has decimated many populations of Desmana moschata. Water pollution however is the biggest killer along with pressure from the creation of impoundments, drainage, clearance of riparian vegetation, entanglement in fishing nets and competition for breeding sites with introduced species of nutria and muskrats.
Desmana moschata is found in Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Turkmenistan and the Ukraine, within the river basins of the Volga, Don, Dneiper, Ural, Uj and Tobal. A permanent supply of fresh water is required for its survival.
This species has been the subject of re-introduction methods and there are now five nature reserves set up for desmans. However lack of management has meant that numbers have not increased significantly.
The population of Desmana moschata is estimated to be 40,000 to 50,000 animals.
Desmana moschata is considered as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN.