The Third Giant Otter International Workshop Advances Human-Otter Coexistence and Ex Situ Collaboration

The Third Giant Otter International Workshop was organized by the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Otter Specialist Group in collaboration with the SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict Coexistence Specialist Group, SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) I Center for Species Survival (CSS) Brazil, and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), Zoo Schwerin, Zoológico de Cali, and Fundación Rewilding Argentina.

The event aims to strengthen international collaboration, refine conservation strategies, and integrate new stakeholders into the International Giant Otter Alliance (IGOA). The primary objectives of this workshop were to:  (i) develop a Human-Giant Otter Coexistence Plan, (ii) gather contributions for the EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for the species, (iii) discuss a global ex situ population management strategy, and (iv) refine and integrate new collaborators to the IGOA work plan in key areas such as research, training, communication, outreach, and ex situ conservation.

The workshop followed the CPSG One Plan Approach, emphasizing cross-sector collaboration for species conservation. Experts, researchers, conservationists, and institutional representatives from 18 institutions from 9 countries participated in a structured process, including plenary discussions, and working groups. It also included field visits and networking opportunities to encourage global cooperation.

The Giant Otter was once considered one of the ten most critically endangered carnivores in the world. After fifty years of research and conservation, we now can have meetings considering the wide range of the return of the Gian Otter in South America. I know that this conference will bring new ideas, new collaboration, and new projects" said Nicole Duplaix, Co-chair of the SSC Otter Specialist Group.

Giant Otter's distribution areas and state of conservation

The Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is one of the 14 Otter species (Lutrinae) living across the world. The Giant Otter is endemic to South America and its historical broad distribution ranged from east of the Andes in the Orinoco and Amazon Basins to northern Venezuela and the river networks of the Guianas and to its southern limit in Argentina. It occurs in a large network of rivers up to 600 m elevation. 

Map from Pickles et al., 2012 adapted by Caroline Leuchtenberger

Globally classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species^TM and listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Giant Otter is considered extinct in Uruguay and Argentina, although there have been recent reports of solitary individuals, which may be new arrivals, in the latter country (Leuchtenberger et al. 2023). The species is also considered Critically Endangered in Ecuador and Paraguay, and Endangered in the other countries of its range.

Although threats for the Giant Otters have changed over the last decades, the reduction and degradation of its Giant Otters habitat, combined with emerging human activities, exacerbate the species’ threats, which may lead to a 50% population decline over the next 25 years" explained Caroline Leuchtenberger, SSC Otters Specialist Group Coordinator.

Addressing human-wildlife interactions for coexistence

One of the main approaches developed in the workshop was the human-wildlife conflict and coexistence. Discussions under this approach were facilitated by Silvio Marchini, member of the SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Specialist Group (HWCCSG), to identify human-wildlife interactions as the starting point for drawing the Theory of Change model for the Human-Otter Coexistence Plan.

As mentioned in the IUCN SSC guidelines on human-wildlife conflict and coexistence, the HWCCSG defines human-wildlife conflict as ‘struggles that emerge when the presence or behaviour of wildlife poses actual or perceived, direct and recurring threats to human interests or needs, leading to disagreements between groups of people and negative impacts on people and/or wildlife’. When human-wildlife interactions are perceived as conflict retaliation against the species blamed often ensues. In this sense, the human-wildlife coexistence approach aims to manage these interactions improving the conditions of wildlife and people.

Competition with fishermen, entanglement in fishing nets (bycatch), damage to fish farming, and pet ownership of the species, are some of the 9 human-otter interactions identified in the Third Giant Otter International Workshop. Participants provided 15 actions to improve interactions, and proposed 3 strategies and 39 outputs for the Coexistence Plan.

Ex situ collaboration in IGOA

Ex situ collaboration is vital for the conservation of the Endangered Giant Otter. This approach supports both the species' survival and the maintenance of its genetic diversity. Key components of ex situ collaboration within IGOA include (i) strengthening Communication: Establishing effective communication among conservation organizations, wildlife institutions, and governments to share experiences and best practices, (ii) creating safe pathways for the import and export of giant otter individuals and genetic samples, ensuring their well-being during transit and compliance with regulations, (iii) developing a comprehensive global management plan, and (iv) developing guidelines for the rescue and maintenance of giant otters into suitable environments, enhancing their chances of survival. 

Representatives from six zoos and four associations of zoos and aquariums attended the workshop and are willing to collaborate between the identified key institutions to improve the management of the species ex situ and aid in the conservation of the Giant Otters and their habitats.

Bringing together diverse institutions and experts creates a powerful opportunity to build bridges for Giant Otter conservation. The establishment of IGOA is an excellent example of how to structure a network that foster collaboration to ensure a future for this keystone species”, said Fabiana Lopes Rocha, CPSG / Center for Species Survival Head Officer.

Acknowledgements

The Third Giant Otter International Workshop was convened by Projeto Ariranhas, Zoo Schwerin, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, Zoológico de Cali, and Fundación Rewilding Argentina. The event was hosted by Parque las Leyendas and sponsored by Frankfurt Zoological Society, Houston Zoo, Zoo Schwering and Leipzig Zoo.

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Sources:

• Nicole Duplaix and Melissa Savage (2018), The Global Otter Conservation Strategy. IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group, Salem, Oregon, USA.
• Wallace, R. B., Reinaga, A., Groenendijk, J., Leuchtenberger, C., Hoops, H., Auccacusi Choque, L. V., Ayala, G., Bowler, M., Marmontel, M., Michalski, F., Mujica, O., Pérez, K., Recharte, M., Rheingantz, M., Roopsind, I., Trujillo, F., Zapata Ríos, G., Becerra Cardona, M., Boher, S., Buschiazzo, M., Cartes, J. L., Coelho, A., de Thoisy, B., Di Martino, S., Duplaix, N., Gil, G., Guerra, N., Heither, H., Lima, D., Mendoza, J., Negrões, N., Pickles, R., Silva, J., Soresini, G., Soutullo, Á., Utreras B., V., Van Damme, P. A., van der Waal, Z., Zamboni, T., & Zambrana, V. (2025). Assessing an Aquatic Icon: A Range Wide Priority Setting Exercise for the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). Wildlife Conservation Society, La Paz, Bolivia. 276 pp.
• IUCN (2023). IUCN SSC Guidelines on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence. First edition. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.

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About the SSC Otter Specialist Group

The IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group (OSG) aims to provide leadership for the conservation of all 14 otter species (Lutrinae); determine, review and share on a continuing basis the status, threats and needs of the otters worldwide and update the IUCN Red List; and promote the implementation of necessary research, conservation and management programmes by appropriate individuals, organisations and governments, and make known the status and conservation needs of otters, promoting the wise management of otter species ongoing emphasis on training young biologists on field research and conservation techniques all over the world.

About the SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Specialist Group

The IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Specialist Group (formerly the IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict Task Force) is an interdisciplinary advisory group that aims to support professionals working on human-wildlife conflict and coexistence by providing interdisciplinary guidance, resources, and capacity building. 

About the Conservation Planning Specialist Group

The IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) is dedicated to saving threatened species through effective conservation planning. For over 40 years, CPSG has employed scientifically sound and collaborative processes that unite individual with diverse perspectives and expertise to drive positive change in conservation efforts worlwide.

Center for Species Survival Brazil

The Center for Species Survival Brazil is a partnership among the SSC, the SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) and Parque das Aves, the host institution. The center serves as a national hub to capitalize on the experience and tools of the IUCN network to help governments, NGOs and communities achieve their conservation goals. This initiative builds capacity and dialogue with other national efforts, including public policies coordinated by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation and Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute such as national Red List assessments and action plans.