Nature

Worlds Biggest Otter Species In Danger Of Global Extinction Sighted By Conservationists

The world’s biggest otter which is in danger of going extinct and which can weigh up to 99 lbs and reach a length of 5.9 feet has been sighted in an Argentine Nature Reserve for the first time in 100 years.

The Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), which is globally considered in danger of going extinct was last seen in the ‘Impenetrable forest’ located in the northern Argentinian province of Chaco over a century ago whilst it hasn’t been seen anywhere in Argentina for over four decades.

The ‘Fundacion Rewilding Argentina’ announced that they had seen and recorded footage of an example of this species that was thought to have been extinct in the park for over 100 years yesterday (18th May).

A Giant Otter that was supposedly extinct in Argentina sighted in the Impenetrable Forest Nature Reserve in Northern Argentina May 2021 (Fundacion Rewilding Argentina, Nico_Munoz/Real Press)

In a statement obtained by Real Press, Fundacion Rewilding said: “This extraordinary discovery is not only important for the preservation of the ‘Impenetrable forest’ but for all of Argentina and the world”.

The Pteronura Brasiliensis is the largest otter species in the world with an adult reaching 1.8 metres (5.9-feet) in length and a weight of 45 kilogrammes (99 lbs) was sighted in ‘Impenetrable Forest’ national park which covers a 128,000-hectare area in the north of Argentina.

The foundation explained that this is the only example of a giant otter documented in the nature park in the last 100 years although there are three giant otters residing in Argentina that were born abroad and imported.

A Giant Otter that was supposedly extinct in Argentina sighted in the Impenetrable Forest Nature Reserve in Northern Argentina May 2021 (Fundacion Rewilding Argentina, Nico_Munoz/Real Press)

They added that the Otter is native to northern and central South America but has been spread to almost all corners of the world where its numbers have almost plummeted resulting in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorising it as in danger of extinction.

Currently, there are three other Giant Otters in Argentina that have been imported for a reintroduction programme, Alondra (female) that was brought to Argentina from Hungary, Coco (male) that came from Denmark and Nanay (male) from Sweden.

The foundation reports that the discovery was made by accident whilst they were carrying out a routine patrol in the Bermejo River at the Campo El Teuco Station in the impenetrable forest national park.

A Giant Otter that was supposedly extinct in Argentina sighted in the Impenetrable Forest Nature Reserve in Northern Argentina May 2021 (Fundacion Rewilding Argentina, Nico_Munoz/Real Press)

During the patrol, the group heard a cry that sounded very similar to the noises ‘Coco’ and ‘Alondra’ make so they took out their cameras and began filming in the direction of the noises.

As seen in the footage the Giant Otter emerges from the water for several seconds showing off the black marks on its white chin which makes it stand out from other members of the otter family.

Sebastián Di Martino, director of the foundation, said: “When the otter popped its head out of the water and showed off its chin, we were left with no doubts that this was a Giant Otter”

The Giant Otter Alondra (female) was brought to Argentina from Hungary for a conservation programme 2021. (Fundacion Rewilding Argentina/Real Press)

He went on: “We still can’t believe it. This incredible discovery has left us with 1000s of questions.”

The foundation believes that this is the first time a giant otter had been spotted in the country since the 1980s when there are reports of a handful of sightings in the countries northeastern province of Misiones.

The foundation believes that the giant otter probably lives a solitary life in the river with the closest documented colony of Giant Otters lying 1000 kilometres (621 miles) away in Paraguay, furthermore, it is possible that this example made its way to Argentina from this colony.

The Giant otter Nanay (male) brought to Argentina from Sweden for a conservation programme 2021. (Fundacion Rewilding Argentina/Real Press)

The number of giant otters in the wild began to plummet in the 1950s when the value of their pelts resulted in decades of packing and today there are only an estimated 5,000 of them left globally in the wild, mainly in the Guianas, but with some also in Brazil and a few other South American countries.

The foundation said the otter sighting is a testament to how important it is for governments to continue to introduce policies that protect national parks in the face of the unprecedented extinction crisis the planet faces due to climate change, the destruction of habitats and poaching.

The local government is working with the foundation to repopulate the Impenetrable forest with the species that it has lost over the years to human activity. The jaguar, the swamp deer and the Guanaco along with the giant otter are on the list of animals that are being reintroduced to the park.

The only Giant Bermejo or Teuco otter (gender unknown) seen in the Impenetrable forest national park in a century swimming in the Bermejo river May 2021. (Fundacion Rewilding Argentina/Real Press)

The foundation said: “The discovery of the Giant Otter adds to the incredible diversity found in the forest. We hope that as species are slowly reintroduced to the national park it will regain the unprecedented diversity it had in the past.”

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