Back from the brink of extinction: Giant Otter, aka Giant River Otter or Giant Amazonian Otter! This story of successful human efforts to save endangered species inspires urgently needed action to solve the extinction-climate crisis.
FUN FACTS
💧Semi-aquatic mammal native to South America, inhabiting freshwater rivers, streams, lakes, and swamps.
🦦 Largest otter in world, up to 6 ft long and 75 lbs. Brown, velvety, waterproof fur with white chest markings. Long slim body with short legs, claw-tipped webbed feet, wing-like tail, and ears/nose that close underwater, for swimming and diving.
🌞 Diurnal, energetic, noisy, and social, living in groups (“holts”), playing, grooming, and cooperating.
ECOSYSTEM, ECONOMIC & SOCIAL ROLE
🔑 Apex predator, keystone species, indicator species, and flagship species.
💰 Drives ecotourism, a source of income for local communities, and humans benefit economically from it controlling populations of other animals.
💫 Important symbol for Indigenous peoples and research subject for scientists.
CONSERVATION STATUS & THREATS
😓 Conservation status: “Endangered” per IUCN Red list and population decreasing, with <5000 wild individuals.
⚠️ Human threats: human-caused climate change, habitat loss/degradation, hunting/poaching, illegal pet trade, and poorly managed tourism.
❗️Natural threats: diseases and parasites but no serious non-human predators.
BACK FROM BRINK IN ARGENTINA
🦖 Feared extinct in Argentina, where last seen in wild in 1980s.
💪 Since 2018, country has worked to bring them back.
🛟 May 2021, 1 wild Giant Otter spotted swimming in Bermejo River, where it had not been seen for 100+ yrs! Afterwards, 3 cubs born to parents reintroduced to wild by Rewilding Argentina.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
🐾 Support “nature-based solutions” that conserve habitat to stop biodiversity loss and climate change.
💚 So far, (y)our donations to our partner nonprofit Rainforest Trust have protected *1,195 acres* of critical habitat and kept *176,262 mT* of C02 equivalents safely stored!
FUN FACTS
💧Semi-aquatic mammal native to South America, inhabiting freshwater rivers, streams, lakes, and swamps.
🦦 Largest otter in world, up to 6 ft long and 75 lbs. Brown, velvety, waterproof fur with white chest markings. Long slim body with short legs, claw-tipped webbed feet, wing-like tail, and ears/nose that close underwater, for swimming and diving.
🌞 Diurnal, energetic, noisy, and social, living in groups (“holts”), playing, grooming, and cooperating.
ECOSYSTEM, ECONOMIC & SOCIAL ROLE
🔑 Apex predator, keystone species, indicator species, and flagship species.
💰 Drives ecotourism, a source of income for local communities, and humans benefit economically from it controlling populations of other animals.
💫 Important symbol for Indigenous peoples and research subject for scientists.
CONSERVATION STATUS & THREATS
😓 Conservation status: “Endangered” per IUCN Red list and population decreasing, with <5000 wild individuals.
⚠️ Human threats: human-caused climate change, habitat loss/degradation, hunting/poaching, illegal pet trade, and poorly managed tourism.
❗️Natural threats: diseases and parasites but no serious non-human predators.
BACK FROM BRINK IN ARGENTINA
🦖 Feared extinct in Argentina, where last seen in wild in 1980s.
💪 Since 2018, country has worked to bring them back.
🛟 May 2021, 1 wild Giant Otter spotted swimming in Bermejo River, where it had not been seen for 100+ yrs! Afterwards, 3 cubs born to parents reintroduced to wild by Rewilding Argentina.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
🐾 Support “nature-based solutions” that conserve habitat to stop biodiversity loss and climate change.
💚 So far, (y)our donations to our partner nonprofit Rainforest Trust have protected *1,195 acres* of critical habitat and kept *176,262 mT* of C02 equivalents safely stored!