giant otter

Predators

South American animals

The playful giant otter is the largest of the world's 13 otter species. It is considered a terrestrial predator but is well adapted to hunting and travelling in water. Giant otters are also known as ”river wolves” because they hunt in packs for fish in the water. They are highly sociable and live in family groups of up to 10 individuals. They are very intelligent and active animals and they have at least 9 different calls that they use to tell others what they want. Giant otters live in lakes, rivers and swamps in the South American rainforest. They often favour bodies of water with soft banks and vegetation hanging down over the water. The South American giant otters are currently scattered across several smaller populations in South America and it is believed that the total number is somewhere between 4000-7000 individuals. However, this is a rough estimate and very uncertain. They have been hunted very heavily for their fur and because they are diurnal and vocal, it is easy for hunters to find them. They have also been greatly reduced in numbers due to the drainage and destruction of their waterways. The zoo participates in the European Conservation Breeding Programme (EEP) for the species.

CITES A

In situ - Conservation in place

Fundación REWILDING Argentina is an organisation working on a range of reintroduction projects in Argentina. Together with other zoos in the European Giant Otter Conservation Programme, Parken Zoo has been involved in sending individuals to be included in reintroduction projects of a top predator such as the giant otter in Iberá, a large wetland area in Argentina. To read more about the project visit

https://ww2.rewildingargentina.org/ibera-project