South and Central America

About Otters

Our Otter Cam

Why are Otters so important?

Otter Images and Videos

Otter Species

Otters Around the World

Skye Wildlife Sightings

The Mustelid Family

Otter Watch

African Otters

Asian Otters

South America is rich in biodiversity and has four species of otter listed below. The two most widespread species are the Neotropical Otter, which ranges through Central to South America, and the Giant Otter which inhabits the Amazon rainforest from the north of Uruguay to Colombia. The Southern River Otter and Marine Otter are much more restricted in their range.

Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Conservation status - Endangered
Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis) Conservation status - Data deficient
Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax) Conservation status - Critically endangered
Marine Otter or Sea cat (Lontra felina) Conservation status - Endangered

Two other species have been recorded in Mexico - the American River Otter and the Sea Otter although the Sea Otter has recently become extinct in South America.

Argentina

Species: Neotropical, Southern River, Marine and Giant Otter.

The Neotropical otter is the only species which is widespread especially in the central and northern parts of the country. The Southern River Otter is much more rare and the Marine Otter is on the verge of extinction with 3 isolated population the most important of which is found in the Naheul Huapi National Park (Aued, M.B et al 2003). In 2002 one was reported in a river on the Patagonian steppe.”

Legal protection: All species protected.

Threats: habitat destruction, water pollution, illegal hunting.

IOSF supported projects

• 2000 – Support for Claudio Chehebar in his survey of Southern River Otters in Naheuel Huapi National Park

Belize

Species: Neotropical Otter

The Neotropical Otter is thought to occur but no information is available.

Legal protection: No information.

Threats: Not known

IOSF supported projects

• 2011 – Support for Isabelle Paquet-Durand, Wildlife Conservation Network in the care of a Neotropical Otter cub
• 2012 – Support for Nikki van der Koore for the care of a Neotropical Otter cub
• 2013 – Support for Hugo Palejowski, Wildtracks, for the care of a Neotropical Otter cub

Bolivia

Species: Neotropical Otter and the Giant Otter.

The Neotropical Otter occurs throughout the country. The Giant Otter is more restricted to isolated populations - in 2002 it was estimated that the country had a population of about 350 individuals occurring mostly in the National Parks (Damme, P.V et al 2002).

Legal protection: Both protected.

Threats: Illegal poaching.

Brazil

Species: Neotropical and Giant Otter.

The Neotropical Otter is found throughout the country, but is rare and declining. It is now included in the Brazilian Red Data Book of Mammals as "threatened with extinction" as populations are decreasing due to habitat loss and water pollution. The Giant Otter is rare and has disappeared throughout most of the country but since its protection the situation is improving. In 2004 87,871 ha of the Pantanal in Mato Grosso State has been designated a Ramsar site because it contains the rare Giant otter. (Tapir conservation)

Legal protection: Both species protected. The Neotropical otter is considered near threatened on the Brazilian list of threatened species. (Alarcon 2004)

Threats: habitat destruction, water pollution, hunting for furs, killing by fishermen at fish farms.

IOSF supported projects

• 1994 – Campaigned with Geraldo de Assis Guimaraes in Belem, about the threat to otters from mercury poisoning in association with gold mining
• 2019 – World Otter Day grant to Grupo Travesías S.A.S. for an education programme on Giant and Neotropical Otters at “La Comunidad de Paumarí” in the Javari Basin

Chile

Species: Southern River and Marine Otter

The Southern River Otter is endangered in Chile and has disappeared from its northern range through hunting and loss of suitable habitat (Medina-Vogel et al 2003). It is know population in freshwater habitats are confined to seven isolated areas between Cautin and Futaleufu. The Marine Otter is declining with important populations on Isla Catchagua in central Chile and Chiloe island to the south. The Valdivian Coastal Range has a healthy population on the Marine otter, as does the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park (Wildlife Conservation Society). In conclusion it is an endangered mustelid and is suffering through habitat destruction and illegal hunting. (IUCN 2007).

Legal protection: Both species protected.

Threats: Poaching of both species, freshwater pollution, deforestation, otters drowning in fishing nets and habitat destruction caused by draining of waterways.

IOSF supported projects

• 1994 – Support for Carlos Olavarrio’s study of the Marine Otter
• 2000 – Support for Claudio Delgado Rodrigues’ study of the Marine Otter in Curinanoco
• 2005 – Support for Claudio Delgado Rodrigues’tudy of population status and threats to the Marine Otter
• 2005 – Support for Ricardo Correa of Chinchimen in his care of a Marine Otter cub
• 2006 – Support for Gonzalo Medina-Vogel’s study of the populations and habitat use by Marine Otters
• 2017 – Support for Chinchimen in their care of a Marine Otter cub

Colombia

Species: Neotropical and Giant Otter

The Neotropical Otter has a healthy population with the species occurring in the lowlands in large numbers. The Giant Otter still has a healthy population especially in Cahuinari National Park, Amazonas and the Low Bita river, Vichada (Javier Diaz, H et al 2002).

Legal protection: Both species protected.

Threats: Increased farming and colonisation leading to habitat loss, otters taken as pets.

IOSF supported projects

• 1997 – Support for Ricardo Valbuena’s study of Giant Otters in the Bita River, Vichada.

Costa Rica

Species: Neotropical Otter

Found in suitable habitat throughout the country especially in the Alajuela and San Carlos rivers close to the boarder with Nicaragua.

Legal protection: Protected.

Threats: Deforestation and hunting

IOSF supported projects

• 2015 – Support for Zara Palmer, Toucan Rescue Ranch, for the care of a Neotropical Otter cub

Ecuador

Species: Neotropical and Giant Otter

The Neotropical Otter is common with the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve having the largest population in western Ecuador. The Giant Otter is found in the lowland tropical forests in eastern Ecuador.

Legal protection: Both species protected.

Threats: Habitat destruction and illegal trade in otter skins

IOSF supported projects

• 2010 – Support for Proyecto Cuyabeno, in the care of a Neotropical Otter cub
• 2011 – Support for Jennifer Martin in the care of a Neotropical Otter cub

El Salvador

Species: Neotropical ?

No more information

French Guiana

Species: Neotropical and Giant Otter

Neotropical Otter is common throughout the country but little information is available on the Giant Otter.

Legal protection: No information.

Threats: Not known

Guatemala

Species: Neotropical Otter

No more information

IOSF supported projects

• 2013 – Support for Meagan Ephraim in her care of a very young Neotropical Otter cub

Guyana

Both species are fairly common throughout the country and the Giant Otter population is of major importance. The Neotropical Otter lives in a variety of habitats but little is known of its ecology, distribution or population status in Guyana. Wild population numbers of both species are merely speculation, due to insufficient data collection and it is therefore vital to develop more otter workers to deliver the data.

In 2019, IOSF held a training workshop at the village of Yupukari, a small Amerindian village in western Guyana. The village is very spread out along the river Rupununi and has both species of otter. The aim of the workshop was to create more awareness of otters and to train local people to conduct regular surveys and then pay them for their work, thus providing a valuable income for the community. They will then be able to gather data to map otter distribution and populations, through their own observations and through citizen science.

The workshop was held together with Save The Giants and the full report can be read here.

Legal protection: Protected.

Threats: Habitat destruction, pollution, taken for pets.

IOSF supported projects

• 1998 – Support for Adrian Barnett in his study of the Giant Otters on the Potaro Plateau
• 2019 – Training workshop with Save The Giants at Yupukari. Read the Report here.
• 2019 to present – Ongoing research and education work on Giant and Neotropical Otters at Yupukari
• 2019 to present – Team Otter affiliated club

Honduras

Species: Neotropical Otter

Neotropical Otter occurs in all major rivers along the east of the country and patchy areas along the northern coast.

Legal protection: No formal protection

Threats: Destruction of habitat

Mexico

Species: Neotropical, North American River Otter and Sea Otter

The Neotropical Otter is regarded as a threatened species and is found on the high Sierras and low mountain slopes. In 2003 sightings were recorded in the state of Guerrero. In the northern and southern states populations are declining due to habitat destruction.

The North American River Otter is rare with only four records since 1989.

The Sea Otter became extinct in 1912, although one was seen off the Baja Californian peninsula in 1989 but there have been few sightings since and these have increased over the last 30 years.

In 2019 Pablo César Hernández-Romero conducted a study into the use of participatory monitoring committees to carry out field monitoring in the community of Tonalaco, located in the National Park Cofre de Perote in Veracruz State. It is likely that fish farms have allowed otters to move into the area, but this has created a conflict between trout farmers and otters. During this study he found a new altitudinal record when he found evidence of Neotropical Otters 2,500 m.a.s.l., higher than previously reported in Mexico for the species. The full report on this study can be found in the IOSF Journal Vol 6 (LINK TO https://otter.org/Public/MediaAndResources_Resources_Journal.aspx)

Threats: Habitat destruction, degradation of aquatic habitats, hunting, and conflicts with fishermen.

Legal protection: Full protection

Threats: Habitat destruction, oil extraction, pollution of water, illegal killing for fur

IOSF supported projects

• 2006 – Support for Jimena Guerrero of the Unisversidad Autonomo Del Estudo de Mexico in her study of Neotropical Otters in Temascaltepec
• 2020 – Support for COBEA in their care of two Neotropical Otters

Nicaragua

Species: Neotropical Otter

This species occurs in small numbers in rivers flowing into the Atlantic.

Legal protection: Full protection

Threats: Deforestation

Panama

Species: Neotropical

Very little is known about otters in Panama.

Paraguay

Species: Neotropical and Giant Otter

The Neotropical Otter occurs in small streams to the east of the country and the marshy areas on the Pilcomayo and Paraguay rivers. Giant Otters are found on the Pilcomayo and Paraguay rivers.

Legal protection: Full protection

Threats: Illegal trade in otter skins.

Peru

Species: Neotropical , Marine and Giant Otter

The Neotropical Otter has a wide distribution including up to 3,000m in the Andean area. Its densest population occurs in the Amazon area. The Marine Otter lives at its northern limit and has sporadic populations along the coast.The marine otter is protected in Peru only within the Reserva Nacional de Paracas, on the central coast. In addition, some coastal land owned of the Company Proabonos S.A. serves as haven for marine otters in Peru. In the remaining areas, marine otters are threatened by accidental capture by local fishery activity. In southern Peru marine otters are caught in demersal gillnets. Marine otters are also killed intentionally because of conflicts with fish and prawn fishermen. (Neyra, J.P 2009) The Giant Otter can be found east of the Andes, confined mainly to the lowland rain forests, a good place to see them is the Los Amigos Research Centre of Excellence

Legal protection: Full protection for all three species

Threats: Habitat destruction, pollution of water, illegal killing for fur, conflicts with fishermen

Suriname

Species: Neotropical and Giant Otter

The Neotropical Otter is common throughout the country. The Giant Otter is restricted to Corantijn, Nickerie, Wayombo, Commewijne and Coppename rivers.

Legal protection: Full protection for both species

Threats: Not known

Trinidad and Tobago

Species: Neotropical otter

The Neotropical Otter is restricted to a few rivers

Legal protection: Full protection

Threats: Declining population due to habitat loss and illegal hunting

Uruguay

Species: Neotropical and Giant Otter

The status of the Giant Otter is uncertain - they were observed in the late seventies and two were seen in 1996. The Neotropical Otter is still numerous throughout the country with the main populations at Banados del Este, Estero de Farrapos and Tacuarembo areas. It is thought that because of the lack of hunting the animal is more numerous than it was 10 years ago.

Legal protection: Full protection for both species

Threats: Drainage of wetlands, illegal hunting for furs - many skins are sold in Montevideo.

Venezuela

Species: Neotropical and Giant Otter

The Neotropical Otter inhabits streams in the tropical and tropical humid forests as well as the forests of Amazonas, Delta Orinoco and Bolivar state, Ilanos of Monagas and Tachira state. The Giant Otter is rare with small populations in the southern forest region and in the Apure and Portuguesta states.

Legal protection: Full protection for both species

Threats: Deforestation, water pollution IOSF'S funded Projects 1999 - Population studies of the Neotropical Otter in the Andean foothills Web Sites Giant otter conservation The Marine otter

IOSF supported projects

• 1999 – Support for Ildemaro Gonzalez for research into the Neotropical Otter in the Andean foothills

Websites

- The Marine otter