Advances in the study of giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis): ecology, behavior, and conservation: a review

Abstract

Giant otters, once targeted by the pelt trade to near extinction, are now legally protected and have made a comeback in some parts of their range. Our state of knowledge about the behavior and ecology of this apex predator has increased substantially since the first studies in the 1970s but remains incomplete. Negative anthropogenic pressures and conflicts affecting giant otters are intensifying and now take many forms, from extensive habitat loss and degradation, pollution, ecotourism with heavy impacts, to gold mining. We review the corpus of giant otter field research and findings since 1980 and discuss new findings and our shortfall of knowledge and their implications for the long-term conservation of the species.Resumo: O abate de ariranhas para o comércio de suas peles no passado levou a espécie quase à extinção. Atualmente a caça à ariranha está proibida e algumas populações têm dado sinais de recuperação em partes de sua distribuição. O conhecimento acerca do comportamento e ecologia deste predador de topo de cadeia aumentou substancialmente desde a realização do primeiro estudo com a espécie na década de 1970, mas permanece incompleto. Conflitos e pressões antrópicas negativas têm se intensificado e abrangem desde a perda extensiva de habitat, poluição, ecoturismo pobremente manejado ou planejado, até a mineração de ouro. Neste artigo nós revisamos o conhecimento atual gerado pelas pesquisas com ariranha após 1980 e discutimos as novas informações, as deficiências de conhecimento ainda existentes e suas implicações para a conservação desta espécie. †

Differential resilience of Amazonian otters along the Rio Negro in the aftermath of the 20th century international fur trade

“…Otter populations declined severely in areas wherever they were hunted commercially [ 11 , 12 ]. As a direct result of this commercial hunting, the giant otter, originally distributed widely from Venezuela to Argentina, is now considered extinct in much of its historic range [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…Though extremely poor in nutrients and mostly inappropriate for agriculture due to annual flooding, this region contains numerous blackwater lakes that are valued by local people for their relatively abundant fish populations [ 35 ]. Such lakes also provides good habitat for otters [ 13 , 36 ]. This region comprises the traditional territory of the Dzawinai or “jaguar people,” one of several patrilineal Baniwa clans.…”

First report on the colpocytology and serum steroid hormone levels of Giant otters Pteronura brasiliensis

“…The Giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis is an endemic semi‐aquatic mustelid from South America (Duplaix et al , 2015). The species is classified as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List because of intensive hunting for the international pelt trade in the past, current conflicts with fishermen, and the destruction and degradation of its habitat (Rosas‐Ribeiro et al , 2012; Groenendijk et al ., 2015; Antunes et al , 2016).…”

New distribution records of Pteronura brasiliensis (Zimmerman, 1780) (Mammalia, Carnivora) in Roraima, northern Brazilian Amazonia

“…For Duplaix et al (2015), local residents are key factors in promoting the conservation of Pteronura brasiliensis. The local human population shares the rivers and the habitat with Giant Otters; encouraging participation in conservation initiatives will enhance conservation outcomes.…”