The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), a top predator of South American aquatic ecosystems, is making a comeback in Argentina.
In recent days, a family of eight specimens arrived at El Impenetrable National Park in the province of Chaco, as part of a reintroduction project led by the Rewilding Argentina Foundation.
The return of a species extinct in the country
Giant otters disappeared from Argentine rivers more than 30 years ago, and in the case of the Bermejo River, they have been extinct for 100 years. Uncontrolled hunting and the degradation of aquatic habitats were the main causes of their disappearance.
Today, thanks to conservation programs, progress is being made towards the recovery of a species with a fundamental ecological role: regulating fish populations and maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems.
A consolidated family
The specimens that arrived at El Impenetrable come from the Buenos Aires Ecopark, where they were transferred from European zoos. The family consists of:
- Lesna, a female from the Czech Republic.
- Arno, a male from Germany.
- Three offspring from the first litter: Aqu, Ysy, and Chapai (two years old).
- Tori, seven months old, second litter.
- Tila and Pía, two and a half months old, third litter.
According to Natural Resources graduate María Eugenia “Mariu” Fenoglio, the animals have already adapted to the pre-release enclosure, dug a natural den, and exhibit typical species behaviors such as group fishing and social interaction.
Preparation for life in the wild
The program’s goal is for the otters to be released into the Bermejo River and the lagoons of the National Park. To achieve this, they undergo a process of adaptation and training that includes:
- Fishing for live fish to stimulate their natural behavior.
- Building dens in riverbanks.
- Group social interaction, reinforcing their gregarious nature.
Fenoglio emphasized that these are social animals that hunt, rest, and defend themselves in groups, so having a consolidated family is key to ensuring the success of the reintroduction.
El Impenetrable National Park: a biodiversity refuge
Created in 2014, El Impenetrable National Park protects 128,000 hectares of carob, palo santo, and quebracho forests, as well as grasslands, wetlands, and lagoons. It is home to emblematic and endangered species such as the giant armadillo, giant anteater, tapir, maned wolf, and jaguar.
Its tourism development is growing, generating job opportunities for the local community and consolidating a model of conservation with sustainable development.
The arrival of this new family of giant otters marks a milestone in Argentine conservation. After decades of absence, the species is beginning to reclaim its place in the rivers of Chaco, contributing ecological balance and hope for biodiversity.
The Rewilding Argentina project demonstrates that science, international cooperation, and environmental education can reverse extinction processes and open new opportunities for local communities.
