Volume 19 Issue 2 Pages 62 - 110 (October 2002)

Citation: Javier Díaz, H. and Sánchez, I.M. (2002) Historical and Actual Presence of the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) on the Lower Meta River, Department of Casanare - Colombia Orinoquia. IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 19(2): 97 - 102

Previous | Contents | Next

Historical and Actual Presence of the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) on the Lower Meta River, Department of Casanare - Colombia Orinoquia

Hernán Javier Díaz¹ and Iván M. Sánchez²

¹Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Leticia- Amazonas. e-mail: hjdiazp@unal.edu.coA.A. 12395 Bogotá, Colombia
²Universidad National de Colombia. A.A. 33887 Bogotá, Colombia

(received 10^th July 2002, accepted 23^rd October 2002)

INTRODUCTION

Unfortunately, information on the distribution and status of giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) populations in Colombia is fragmented, despite being considered Critically Endangered (RODRIGUEZ, 1998) or Endangered (HILTON-TAYLOR, 2000) and being included in Appendix I of CITES. Distribution maps published to date by CHEHEBAR (1990), CARTER and ROSAS (1997), EMMONS (1997) and SCHENCK (1999) fail to include the Department of Casanare as part of the species' distribution range. In the Colombian mammals list, published by ALBERICO et al. (2000), the presence of P. brasiliensis is recorded in the Amazonía (Department of Amazonas) and Orinoquía regions (Departments of Arauca, Vaupés and Vichada), but fails to include the Department of Casanare.

Several studies have provided valuable data on the ecology of the giant otter in different areas of Colombia. DEFLER (1983, 1986) undertook censuses along 1750 km of fluvial system at the Natural National Park El Tuparro in the Department of Vichada, finding 163 individuals in 30 groups. MARTINEZ (1998) found 40 sites used by the species and she observed 2 groups and 3 solitary individuals in the River Metá and small tributaries of the River Caquetá in the Department of Amazonas. VALBUENA (1999) determined the population size in the low river basin of the Bita river in the Department of Vichada and found a mean density of 0.8 individuals/km². GÓMEZ (1999) characterized the foraging ecology of the species in the same area as VALBUENA (1999), through faecal analysis and direct observation of individuals feeding. BOTELLO (2000) studied the ecology and behaviour of the species in the low Apoporis river, Colombian Amazonia, and found a density of 0.8 otters/km of river. BOTELLO (pers. comm.) is currently monitoring populations he previously observed (BOTELLO, 2000) in the low Apoporis river.

Chroniclers and missionaries accompanying Spanish conquistadors during the Conquest and subsequent colonisation often documented the presence of fauna in the Colombian Orinoquia region. One of those chroniclers, R.P. Joseph Gumilla (GUMILLA, 1791), recorded the presence of the giant otter and the quality of its skin: "In Arauca, Apure, Duya, Cravo and many other rivers draining to the Orinoco river, there are lots of wolves or water dogs, as large as a hunting dog; they are otters, but the subtlety and smoothness of the water dog's hair, called "guacbi" by the Indians, exceeds by far that of the otter's skin, and the smooth touch of silk. They swim with great lightness and they eat fish; they live in the water as well as on land, although they always go to the river to eat...".  The R.P. Felipe Salvador Gilij (Biocolombia 1996) accurately describes the presence of the giant otter in the region: "In waters of the Orinoco river, and a lot more in neighbouring lakes and rivers, there are certain animals similar to dogs. In fact, the Spaniards call it water dog. They are as large as dogs and they even bark like them. Its fur has a reddish and black colour, it is smooth to touch and universally valued...". In the canon José Cortés de Madariaga's voyage diary of 1811, appears a reference regarding the occurrence of the species in a tributary of the Metá river: "In the passage of Rionegro river I did not find any rational creature....; I only saw some tapirs and baquiras (Peccary) crossing the river, a diverse multitude of aquatic wolves, snakes and a diversity of fishes..." (reported in VELANDIA, 1992).

This type of historical chronicle is useful for getting an idea of the possible changes in the distribution of this species due to habitat destruction or action of excessive hunting pressure.

Between 1950 and 1975, the species was overexploited for the value of its skin. Before this period, it is believed that giant otters were widely distributed in the rivers, streams and lagoons of the Orinoco and Amazonas River basins, in the geographical regions known as Orinoquia (Llanos Orientales) and Amazonia (DONADIO, 1978, HERNANDEZ-CAMACHO, pers. comm.). It is believed that after 1973, when hunting was prohibited, and after 1974, when the commerce for skins ceased in this country (DONADIO, 1978), populations of this species have recuperated. Currently, there is little information published about the zones in which the species remains and in which it has recuperated.

In order to increase information about the distribution and the actual status of this species in Colombia, we present data collected during a visit to a sector of the Casanare Department (Colombian Orinoquia). Through this, we confirm its presence in this zone of the country and we provide a basis for future studies.

STUDY AREA

The area studied was located around and in the La Lorena Herd (Property of the Yamato Foundation), near the Village of La Hermosa (5°32'30"N - 70°26'36"W), in Paz de Ariporo, Casanare Department, Colombia (Fig. 1). Its physio-geography corresponds with the Poorly-Drained Orinoquia, whose topography is plane and plane-concave, having savannas crossed by streams and lagoons. Drainage is poor and floods occur in the rainy season (CORTES, 1986, SARMIENTO, 1994). According to the Ramsar Convention classification of Natural Wetlands (NARANJO et al. 1999), these habitats are part of the fluvial system and flooded savannas of the Metá River.

Figure 1: Location of the study area. Department of Casanare, Colombia. Blue dots correspond to places visited. Click for larger version

METHODS

In March 1999, during the dry season (low waters), in order to confirm the presence of this species, preliminary data were collected over 10 days, surveying approximately 50 ha of riparian forest. These preliminary surveys were relatively random, in that we visited sites suggested by local people, rather than undertaking a standard survey method. In such places we established fixed points for direct observations using a video camera, and we explored the area to locate campsites of the otters. Total time of observation of giant otters was 51 min. 15 sec. In addition, we carried out interviews with those persons that had had some interaction with the species, in order to assess the relationship of local people to the otters.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

We visited a forest patch (approximately 17 ha.) located 2 km from La Hermosa village, where we found a small seasonal lagoon (Site A, Fig. 1). We observed two adult otters fishing and eating in the water from a fixed point for a period of 5 min 35 sec. One of the otters was identified by its pattern of neck spots (Fig. 2a and 3a). The next day, we visited a different lagoon, approximately 1.25 ha in area (Site B, Fig. 1).

There, from a fixed point, we observed a family group of giant otters, composed of eight individuals, two of which were identified as cubs, for 38 min 8 sec. The group was moving over a small area and fishing and eating close to the lagoon's border, where we located its campsite. On a second day, this group was observed from a boat for 7 minutes in the same place. Using a video camera, we were able to identify five ofn the eight individuals by the pattern of spots on the neck (Fig. 2b and 3b, c, d, e, f). In addition, we visited some sites around the La Hermosa stream at Site C (Fig. 1), where we explored approximately 250 m of the stream course; however, no sign of giant otters was found. At Site D (Fig. 1), we found old otter campsites in a lagoon of approximately 25 ha). Local inhabitants reported that otters had recently been present at this site.

A total of seven interviews were made. With the information collected we obtained an idea of the human-otter-habitat interaction We were able to highlight four main negative interactions between otters and humans that might affect the otters continued recuperation in the Department of Casanare:

1. Sometimes people shoot them, or shoot at them to frighten them away, as they consider that all otters eat their fishes.
2. Forest destruction for logging and cultivation has increased the pressure on the otter's habitat.
3. Sometimes people hunt them to use its skin to manufacture articles such as clothing
4. People capture cubs to keep them as pets.

Acknowledgements - We thank Miss Liseth Castellanos (Biologist) for her field assistance. We also wish to thank inhabitants of the region for their collaboration in the interviews. The Yamato Foundation gave us logistic support in the study area..

Alberico, M.,A. Cadena, J. Hernández-Camacho, Muñoz-Saba, Y. 2000. Mamíferos (Synapsida: Theria) de Colombia. Biota Colombiana, 1, 43-75.
Botello, J.C. 2000. Ecología y Comportamiento del Lobo de Río Pteronura brasiliensis en la región del bajo Río Apaporis, Amazonia Colombiana. Tesis de pregrado. Biólogo-Zoólogo. Universidad del Valle. Facultad de Ciencias. Cali, Colombia. 64 p.
BIOCOLOMBIA 1996. Faunula de Vertebrados y su entorno en la región de los campos de Cusiana y Cupiagua Departamento de Casanare. Bases para su uso, conservación y manejo. Informe final. Biocolombia, Fundación para la conservación del patrimonio natural. British Petroleum Exploration Company. Bogotá.
Carter, S.K., Rosas, F.C.W. 1997. Biology and conservation of the giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis. Mamm. Rev. 27, 1-26.
Chehebar, C. 1990. Action Plan for Latin American Otters. In: Foster-Turley, P., MacDonald, S.M., Mason, C.F. (eds.) Otters, An Action Plan for their Conservation. IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group, Kelvyn Press, Inc. USA. 126 pp.
Cortés, A. 1986. Las Tierras de la Orinoquia, capacidad de uso actual y futuro. (ed.) Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano.
Defler, T. 1983. Association of the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) with fresh water dolphins (Inia geoffrensis). J. Mamm. 64, 692.
Defler, T. 1986. The giant otter in El Tuparro National Park, Colombia. Oryx 20, 87-88.
Donadio, A. 1978. Some comments on otter trade and legislation in Colombia, pp. 34-42. In: Duplaix, N. (ed.). Otters, Proceedings IUCN Otter Specialist Group Meeting, IUCN Publication, New Series. Switzerland.
Emmons, L. 1997. Neotropical Rainforest Mammals. A Field Guide. Second edition. The University of Chicago Press. Chicago. 307 p.
Gomez, J.R. 1999. Ecologia alimentaria de la nutria gigante (Pteronura brasiliensis) en el bajo Río Bita (Vichada - Colombia). Tesis de grado. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá. 50 p.
Gumilla, J. 1791. Historia natural civil y geográfica de las naciones situadas en las riberas del río Orinoco. Imprenta de Carlos Gibert y Tuto, Barcelona. Publicado en Clasicos Tavera No. 61 cd-rom. Serie: Textos clasicos sobre la historia de Venezuela. Vol. 2. España.
Hilton-Taylor, C. (ed.) 2000. Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. 61p.
Martinez, A.M. 1998. Algunos aspectos del uso del hábitat de la nutria gigante de río Pteronura brasiliensis (Gmelin, 1788) y anotaciones sobre su comportamiento en el Río Meta, Caquetá medio, Amazonia colombiana. Tesis de grado, Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogotá. 107p.
Naranjo, L.G., G.I. Andrade, Ponce de León, E. 1999. Humedales Interiores de Colombia: Bases Técnicas para su Conservación y Uso Sostenible. Instituto de Investigaciones de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, Ministerio del Medio Ambiente. Bogotá, D.C.
Rodriguez, J.V. 1998. Listas preliminares de mamíferos colombianos con algún riesgo a la extinción. Informe final preseutado al Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt.
[on-line]. URL: http://www.humboldt.org.co/conservacion/mamiferos_amenazados.htm
Sarmiento, G. 1994. Sabanas Naturales, Génesis y Ecología. In: Sabanas Naturales de Colombia. Banco de Occidente. Diego Samper Ediciones. pp. 17-56.
Schenck, C. 1999. Lobo de Río, Pteronura brasiliensis. Presencia, Uso del Hábitat y Protección en el Peru. Disertación Facultad de Biologia, Universidad de Ludwig-Maximilians, Munich. Proyecto Fanpe GTZ-INRENA. 176 p.
Valbuena, R. 1999. Tamaño poblacional de la nutria gigante (Pteronura brasiliensis) en la cuenca baja del río Bita, Vichada. Colombia. Tesis, pregrado. Facultad de Cieucias. Departamento de Biológia, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá, 65 p.
Velandia, R. 1992. Descubrimientos y Caminos de los Llanos Orientales. Colección de Historia de la Biblioteca National - Colcultura. 304 p.

Résumé : Présence Actuelle et Historique de la Loutre Géante (Pteronura Brasiliensis) sur le Cours Inférieur du Rio Meta, Département de Casanare -Versant Colombien du Bassin de L'Orénoque.
Peu d'informations ont été publiées concernant la répartition des loutres géantes (Pteronura brasiliensis) en Colombie. Quelques archives anciennes rapportent la presence de l'espèce sur le versant colombien de l'Orénoque, ainsi que la valeur de sa fourrure. On considère que depuis 1974, lorsque le commerce des fourrures a cessé dans le pays, les populations de loutres ont spontanément repris. Ce présent article vise à confirmer la présence des loutres géantes dans cette partie du pays, et à preciser l'identification des individus par l'observation des taches de la nuque.
Revenez au dessus

Resumen: Presencia Actual e Histórica de la Nutria Gigante (Pteronura Brasiliensis) en el Bajo Río Meta, Departamento De Casanare - Antioquía Colombiana.
Hay poca información publicada sobre la distribución de las nutras gigantes (Pteronura brasiliensis) en Colombia. Algunas crónicas antiguas reportan la ocurrencia de la nutria gigante en la Antioquía colombiana así como el valor de su piel. Se cree que desde 1974, cuando el comercio de pieles en el país cesó, las poblaciones de esta especie se han ido recuperaudo. En esta nota queremos confirmar la presencia de nutrias gigantes en esa parte del país, y brindar información sobre los individuos identificados a través del patrón de manchas en su cuello.
Vuelva a la tapa

Previous | Contents | Next