Exhibition on giant otters at Parque das Aves in Foz do Iguaçu

What is the giant otter

The giant otter, also called the river wolf or giant otter, is a semi-aquatic mammal exclusive to South America. It is the largest of the 13 otter species worldwide. Its elongated body, robust tail and webbed feet give it great agility in the water.

These otters live in family groups and communicate with distinct vocalizations to maintain social organization. They feed mainly on fish, relying directly on rivers, lakes and other aquatic habitats to survive.

Why they are called river sentinels

The exhibition name reflects the species' ecological role. Because they depend on healthy aquatic ecosystems, the presence of giant otters indicates the condition of the rivers where they live. Protecting the species also means protecting water quality and the associated biodiversity.

Some birds take advantage of prey remains left by the otters or forage in areas used by them, illustrating these ecological connections.

Current and historical distribution

Today, the main populations are concentrated in the Amazon and the Pantanal. Historically, however, the species also occurred in the Atlantic Forest, including areas of the Paraná River basin and the surroundings of Parque Nacional do Iguaçu. It is now considered extinct in that biome.

Threats and conservation

The species faces population fragmentation, reduced connectivity between groups and impacts from human activities on aquatic environments. Conserving giant otters also means conserving water and the ecosystems that depend on it.

The exhibition was developed by Parque das Aves in collaboration with the Associação de Zoológicos e Aquários do Brasil (AZAB) and the Projeto Ariranhas. The activity allowed visitors to understand the relationship between the species and aquatic habitats, and to reinforce why acting before a population disappears is essential.

---

Source: Parque das Aves
https://www.parquedasaves.com.br/blog/exposicao-ariranhas