Giant otter returns to Argentina after 30 years
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After a 30-year absence, giant otters are swimming in Argentina’s rivers thanks to a reintroduction program led by Fundación Rewilding Argentina.
The giant otter, also known as the wolf-collared otter, was regionally extinct in Argentina since 1986, disappearing from its last habitat in the upper Iguazú River. Seven years ago, the foundation began a global reintroduction initiative on San Alonso Island within the Iberá Wetlands, a vast region in northern Argentina’s Corrientes province.
The project now includes over 30 otters, including a family released in June 2025 and another 13 preparing for release. This family has begun establishing its own dens and moving independently, demonstrating successful adaptation to their environment. The otter’s disappearance was caused by a combination of factors, including dam construction that flooded habitats, hunting for its dense fur, and overfishing of its prey like the surubí and sábalo fish.
Rewilding Argentina imported otters from zoos in Europe and the United States, navigating complex logistical and health requirements. The organization carefully monitored the animals through a pre-release phase in enclosures designed to mimic their natural habitat. They also track the otters post-release using implanted telemetry transmitters. The project’s success in Iberá is now being replicated in Argentina’s El Impenetrable National Park, with a new family preparing for release there, signaling a potential expansion of the otter’s range across the country.
