With the firm objective of recovering an endangered species in the area, a giant otter arrives in El Impenetrable in Chaco. It’s “Chiru“, a male born in one of the pre-release enclosures of the Iberá Park in Corrientes.
The species is a top predator in the province. However, after more than 100 years, only the presence of one wild specimen was recorded: Teuco.
A giant otter arrives in El Impenetrable: meet “Chiru”
Chiru arrived at the pre-release enclosure in the National Park El Impenetrable, where he will coexist with Rosario, a female from the Los Angeles Zoo (United States).
This specimen comes from Iberá, where a giant otter reintroduction project is taking place. He lived there until he was 4 years old.
Now, the animal has a fundamental mission: to contribute to the recovery of the top water predator in Chaco.
“Together (with Rosario), they will continue to perfect their skills for a future life in the wild and, eventually, they may form a family that will contribute to the recovery of the species,” authorities estimate.
This was made possible thanks to the joint work of the projects in Chaco and Corrientes, as well as the collaboration of other national and international institutions.
Now, the return of this key species to the ecosystems of northern Argentina is getting closer.
Giant otters
This is how giant otters look like. (Photo: Wikipedia).[/caption>
The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), also known as the giant otter, is the largest otter species in the world, reaching lengths of up to 1.8 meters.
It was a top predator in the aquatic ecosystems throughout South America, where it fed on fish and caimans. Until the mid-20th century, it was possible to spot them in the Paraná River. Its presence in the Esteros del Iberá was confirmed based on a skull found on one of the islands.
The Conservation Coordinator of the Rewilding Argentina Foundation, Débora Abregú, highlighted that in 2021 the presence of a giant otter was recorded in El Impenetrable..
This wild specimen was named Teuco. After a period without news, fresh tracks were found on the sandbanks of the Bermejo River in mid-2022, presumably from the same animal.
Adaptation of “Chiru”
“Since arriving in El Impenetrable, Chiru lives and interacts with Rosario, hunting together, and even sharing live fish that are introduced as food into their territory,” she detailed.
“The interaction between them is very positive. This gives us a lot of hope that soon this pair of giant otters will give birth to the first cubs in El Impenetrable in Chaco,” Abregú added.
The biologist emphasized the importance of the project also from the community development perspective.
“It would be essential for a family group to be formed before they are released. The next step is to wait for this female to become pregnant and for the first cubs to be born in El Impenetrable, where we are taking another step in the recovery of this species that is so important for the balance of aquatic ecosystems,” she stressed.
This is Chiru. (Photo: DataChaco.com).[/caption>
“At the same time, they provide a great opportunity for neighboring communities, which will benefit from ecotourism and wildlife observation activities,” she added.
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