Find out more about this beautiful mammal. The giant river otter is the largest otter in the world, they can reach 6 feet (1.8m) in length and a maximum of 70 lbs (32kg). They are sisters from two different litters. The giant river otter. Giant otters once were found throughout the Tropical rainforests of the Amazon, down to Brazil’s Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland. Giant otters are the largest of any otter in the world growing up to 1.8m. The Zoo has two giant otters that joined the collection in 2013. • Otters were heavily hunted in the 1960-70s by humans mainly for their fur. 1. A giant otter’s throat markings are unique to each individual and are used to identify and recognize one another. Photo by: Frank Hajek. By Staff Writer Last Updated Apr 15, 2020 11:48:59 AM ET. Fascinating Facts. Females are smaller at 1-1.5m (3.3-4.9ft). Behavior and conservation of the Amazon’s giant river otter. Giant River Otter At more than twice the length of the North American river otter, the giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is quite a sight.A skilled hunter and apex predator, the giant river otter is also very much a family-oriented creature, living in large and often noisy groups along the river banks of the Amazon and its tributaries. As of 2014, the number of gorillas left in the world is around 100,000, and their population is steadily decreasing. Many Asian countries took part in World Otter Day and there is also a lot of interest in the IOSF Team Otter education programme as we have mentioned. During the 1976-77 trapping season 32,846 North American river otter pelts were reported taken in … The giant otter can grow to more than 6 feet (2 meters) long and 70 pounds (32 kg), nearly twice as large as its American counterparts. Excessive fur trapping during the 19th and 20th centuries caused severe declines in many populations. Richard Ashurst/CC-BY-2.0. Appearance. The giant otter is the longest of the otter species but shares a similar weight with the sea otter.Male giant otters can attain a length of 1.5-1.7m (4.9-5.6ft). As the name suggests, the giant otter is the world's largest otter species and is well-known from wildlife documentaries. Giant river otters sharing a giant river eel. There are two species of gorillas, and both are endangered. An average giant otter will weigh between 22 and 32kg (49-71lbs).. Lara is older, born January 31, 2011. The otter pet trade continues to be a problem (see Illegal Trade section). 2004; K RUUK 2006; K EAN et al. All otter species have been hunted for their thick, velvety fur. Their long tail may add as much as 70cm (28in) to this body length. 41 years later and counting, their conservation status remains unchanged and their future uncertain. one or two giant otters left the den at any one time during the night. As many as 3000 furs per year were recorded in the Amazonian Brazil alone in the 1960s. The first ever giant river otter cub born in Asia arrived at Wildlife Reserves Singapore just this last August, UPI reports.Dr. Scent-marking is an important mechanism of communication among otters (R OSTAIN et al. Giant Otters. Only 600 mountain gorillas are left … California’s southern sea otter has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1977. Giant otters are classed as endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 5000 left in the wild, with populations affected by habitat loss, poaching and industry.. We work with the Instituto Araguaia Giant Otter Project in Brazil, funding a scheme to improve management and conservation of the Cantão ecosystem.The project has been continuing their patrols and wildlife … 2011). However, an important step forward was the upgrading of Asian Small-clawed (Aonyx cinereus) and Sea Otter Conservation. 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