IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Abstracts
Knowledge and Perception of the Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis annectens) among Fishermen in the Champayán Lagoon System, Altamira, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Pages 117 - 130 (Report)
Ulises De Jesús Balderas-Mancilla, Patricia Reyes-Martínez, Laura Elena Vázquez- Maldonado, Juan Pablo Gallo-Reynoso, María De Los Ángeles Medrano-Walt, Ausencio Azuara-Domínguez, Juan Ernesto Vilchis- Juárez, and Martha Laura Cervantes-Vázquez
Not enough research has been conducted on the distribution and population density of the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis annectens) in the state of Tamaulipas. Today, the inhabitants of villages near the Champayán Lagoon System have empirical knowledge of the biodiversity in adjacent areas from experiences in their daily activities. A study was conducted through 35 interviews about the knowledge and perception of the Neotropical otter applied in seven fishermen villages in the Champayán Lagoon System, Altamira, Tamaulipas. Interviews revealed that all of the interviewed fishermen reported knowing the Neotropical otter and having observed it at different spots across the lagoon system. It is reported that the otter is a social species that has been observed in pairs and with offspring. Fishermen mention that otters feed mainly on native and exotic fish and others preys as well as crustaceans, reptiles, and poultry. There is an interaction between fishermen and otters, where the latter steals fish from fishing nets; however, this does not represent an economic loss for fishermen. The 91.4% of fishermen interviewed reported having directly interacted with an otter, and 97.1% mentioned that they had never threatened or disturbed an otter, since they consider it a charismatic species. Only 5.7% mention the otter as a species of great importance for the lagoon system. This work highlighted the need to continue this research applying ethnobiology methodologies to work with local communities, as a first strategy to promote the conservation of the Neotropical otter and to carry out to long-term studies on the interaction of fishermen with otters when their populations may be threatened.
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New Confirmed Records of the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis, Gmelin, 1788) in Argentina
Pages 131 - 136 (Report)
Caroline Leuchtenberger, Sebastián Di Martino, Augusto Distel, Matías Greco, Magalí Longo, and Nicole Duplaix
Here, we report two independent and confirmed observations of solitary giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) recorded in December 2021 and September 2022 in Argentina. The former observation, a male first seen in El Impenetrable National Park in May 2021, was recorded in Buenos Aires province, which lies outside the historical distribution known for giant otters. The latter observation, an adult of unknown sex, was recorded in the Iberá Park, Corrientes province, where giant otter vanished more than 30 years ago. These records highlight the urgency for management strategies directed to enhance the recovery of giant otter populations in their historical range.
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New Records for the Marine Population of Southern River Otter Lontra provocax: Confirming Huillín Presence on Mitre Peninsula, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina
Pages 137 - 143 (Report)
Alfredo Ñ. Claverie, and Alejandro E.J. Valenzuela
The southern river otter (Lontra provocax), known as huillín in Spanish, is an endangered otter that is endemic to Patagonia. Argentina has two populations separated by 1,500 km: a freshwater one in northern Patagonia, and a coastal marine one in Tierra del Fuego province. This last population was categorized as critically endangered, and until now only presents two stable subpopulations inside protected areas (Tierra del Fuego National Park and Staten Island Provincial Reserve). Several sporadic records of this species were known for Mitre Peninsula (Tierra del Fuego), a difficult area to access. The goal of this study was to evaluate the status of the southern river otter on Mitre Peninsula. In 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2023, we systematically surveyed the southern coasts of this area (the only with suitable habitat), looking for otter presence through signs (e.g., spraints, tracks, dens). Additionally, camera traps were set in areas with high activity. We found new records and also confirm a stable presence of the species in the area. Camera trap records also confirm presence throughout the year and the first known confirmation of reproduction. Additionally, introduced species, like American mink (Neogale vison) and free-range dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) were identified, which are potential threats to the otter. We believe that this evidence of huillín presence on Mitre Peninsula implies there is a stable subpopulation, which would also mean that Mitre Peninsula represents a potential biological corridor between Staten Island and the rest of the archipelago.
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Mortality of Lontra felina (Molina, 1782) in Chile (2009-2022) based on Reports
Pages 144 - 150 (Report)
Ricardo Correa, and José Pizarro
This note reports 58 dead marine otters along the coast of North and central Chile during 2009-2022. The data was retrieved from a database of the Chilean National Service for Fisheries and Aquaculture (SERNAPESCA) and from observations of the authors. The main part of the otter mortality reports occurred in the Valparaíso region, which in turn would be consequence of a major effort to report mortality events by volunteers and scientists here. Seventeen (29%) cases of otter mortality were identified whereby interaction with thermal power plants cooled by seawater, attack of dogs, and interaction with small-scale fisheries are the main causes of mortality. But the cause of almost all the deaths remains unknown.
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Sighting and Signs of the Small-Clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus Illiger, 1815)in Ciliwung River, Indonesia
Pages 151 - 164 (Report)
Averroes Oktaliza, Muhammad Azib Abidin, Puti Puspitasari, Kevin Geraldhi, Wildan Syah, and Andriyanto
The small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and has recently been upgraded to Appendix I on CITES due to significant population reduction and commercial trade. Despite increasing conservation efforts for otters worldwide, land conversion, waste, pesticides, and poaching pose significant threats to otter populations. Previous studies have identified the presence and habitat characteristics of Aonyx cinereus in various regions of Indonesia. However, more research still needs to be done on the Ciliwung River species. The field observation was carried out from August to October 2022; with most fieldwork happening in the rainy season, there are better times to sample otter markings. Spraints and latrine sites were the most commonly reported signs of otter presence. Two direct sightings of otters were made during the survey, one of a group of eight otters at Ciliwung Bridge and another of two otters searching for food along the riverbank at Blue Bridge. We confirmed the presence of otters in this area through visual encounters, sign surveys, and direct sightings. The proximity of Aonyx cinereus to settlements in the Jabodetabek region makes this species vulnerable to hunting. It is essential to preserve the Ciliwung River so that it may be passed on to future generations
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Effects of Habitat Variables on the Distribution of Smooth-Coated Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) along the Kauriala Branch of the Karnali River, Nepal
Pages 165 - 174 (Report)
Ramesh Kathariya, Dipesh Raj Pant, Kamal Raj Gosai, Ramesh Prasad Sapkota, and Mohan Bikram Shrestha
The Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) (SCO) is a semi-aquatic, top predator and a biological indicator of freshwater environments. We assessed the distribution of SCO and its relation to habitat variables in the Kauriala branch of the Karnali River. We searched for evidence of SCO in plots of 100m x 10m in the middle of each of 70 transects of 1 km, on both sides of the river, on a 39km stretch of river. Signs of ocupancy were observed in stretches where the river width ranged from 50 m to 300 m, but river width was negatively associated with probability of occurrence of SCO. Observed signs of SCO were maximal in areas of shrub cover and sandy substrate. Human activity is considered to be the most pressing threat, followed by grazing, stone extraction, fishing and construction activities. Formulation and implementation of a SCO conservation action plan should be prepared to protect the species in the Karnali River.0000
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