why is the giant otter endangered

Current estimates place the population between 1,000 and 5,000, placing it among the endangered otter … The giant otter, an endangered apex predator in Amazon river ecosystems, was nearly driven to extinction because of demand for its fur. According to the International Union for Conservation, the Giant River Otter is endangered and considered extinct in Uruguay and likely extinct Argentina [6]. Across the world, there are thirteen known species of otter. Giant Otter Project. They are also threatened by chemical pollution in the water. Find out more about this beautiful mammal. To make matters worse, it has gone extinct in some areas, so populations are no longer connected.) Following the banning of fur trade, giant otter populations have recovered across South America. They take a nap at mid-day during really warm weather. Importance of protecting endangered … Let’s discuss it in brief. The giant otter is the largest of the otter species and is found in the lakes, rivers, creeks and swamps of South America. The Giant Otter features a very long body, similar to that of a weasel. The authoritative text on giant otters and their conservation. Males are between 1.5 and 1.7 m (4.9 and 5.6 ft) in length from head to tail and females between 1 and 1.5 m … Fishermen kill otters because they are seen as competitors for fish stock. Their long tail may add as much as 70cm (28in) to this body length. Native to South America, giant river otters are mostly found in the Amazon basin. Hairy-nosed otters are regarded as “Endangered” and face many threats to their survival, including habitat destruction, agricultural pollution, construction of hydroelectric dams and increased fish farming, with an associated increase in human/otter conflicts. The giant otter is rated ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN. The species is now legally protected, but the remaining population is highly fragmented across the range and most subpopulations are small. Despite a recent recovery in some areas following banning of the fur trade, the species now faces several emerging threats that remain poorly understood. It has the greatest body length of any species in the mustelid family, although the sea otter may be heavier. Giant otters produce 9 different vocalizations and are very loud. The giant otter's fur is dense, thick and velvety and brown in color. Preferring slow-moving tropical rivers, the giant river otter is affected by habitat loss, illegal hunting and gold mining that has caused mercury poisoning. More recently, a deadly disease has become my biggest threat. Get to know one of South America’s most captivating and endangered mammals. Status: Endangered Range: Tasmania, Australia Why am I threatened? Meanwhile, About its diet, Giant otter only feeds on snakes, fish, turtle, crabs, and small caiman. The giant otter is the largest of the world's otters. I used to be hunted for my fur, but … Giant Anteater (Vulnerable. Excessive hunting for its pelts until the late 1970s caused the numbers to plummet. It … An average giant otter will weigh between 22 and 32kg (49-71lbs).. Giant Otter (Has lost as much as 80% of its range. I used to be considered a pest so was trapped and killed by farmers. Why Giant Otters are currently endangered Currently, Giant Otters are still classed as endangered because they face new threats in the 21 st century. Ka’apor Capuchin Monkey (Critically endangered… The giant otter is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). 501c3 nonprofit conservation organization with a focal species, the critically endangered giant otter. 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