The giant otter, one of the largest aquatic mammals on the planet, has regained its place in the Argentine ecosystem. After nearly 1986 years of absence, for the first time since XNUMX, a family group of these otters is swimming freely in the wetlands of the Esteros del Iberá, in the province of Corrientes, marking a turning point in national and international conservation projects.
The return of the species has become a reality thanks to a joint effort of conservation organizations, zoos and public administrations., coordinated by the Rewilding Argentina Foundation. The initiative thus becomes the first reintroduction of a native mammal declared extinct in the country.
The reintroduced family: a conservation achievement
La The released otter family consists of two adults, Nima and Coco, and two pups born in semi-captivity in Iberá itself.Nima comes from the Madrid Zoo, and Coco was donated by Givskud Zoo in Denmark. The babies, Piru and Kyra, were born in November 2024 after years of preparation and adaptation by the parents in special facilities within the park.
The process of readaptation to the natural environment was exhaustiveThe animals learned to fish and care for their young in pre-release enclosures, following health and logistical protocols developed specifically for the species. In addition, They were fitted with monitoring harnesses that allow their progress to be tracked after their release in the Paraná Lagoon of the Great Iberá Park..
This milestone marks the first time that a locally extinct species has returned to its original habitat in Argentina.International coordination and collaboration have been key, with the participation of zoos from countries such as Hungary, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, France, and the United States, as well as the Brazilian Ariranha Project and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Ecological importance of the giant otter in Iberá
With a length that can reach 1,8 meters and a weight of around 33 kilos, The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is the main predator of the wetlands where it lives.. Its diet, composed almost entirely of fish, contributes to maintaining balance in aquatic ecosystems.
The Great Iberá Park, with more than 756.000 hectares of protected wetlands, offers an ideal environment for the survival and expansion of the species: abundance of food, a large expanse of natural habitat and absence of significant threats.
The return of the giant otter brings direct environmental benefits and also generates economic impact, given that It attracts tourists interested in wildlife watching and supports the local economy.The governor of Corrientes, Gustavo Valdés, highlighted how these initiatives consolidate the region as a benchmark in nature tourism and sustainable development.
A global model of ecological restoration
The reintroduction project began in 2017 and has involved the design of complex enclosures, quarantine protocols, and training programs in fishing and wildlife techniques.Furthermore, the restoration work is not limited to the giant otter, but also encompasses other emblematic species such as the jaguar and the scarlet macaw, which are essential to the region's biodiversity.
Among the next steps planned by Rewilding Argentina, are: New releases of giant otters in different parts of the Iberá Wetlands and in the ChacoThe goal is to increase the number of family groups, strengthen connectivity between populations, and consolidate a stable and self-sufficient population in the wild.
Work is still ongoing to ensure the long-term success of this reintroduction., but the return of the giant otter represents an exciting step forward for the restoration of Argentine ecosystems and the future of its native fauna.
