After the extinction in the 70s, the giant otter returns to Iberá

The National Service for Health and Food Quality (SENASA) implements a project of restocking Esteros del Iberáin the province of Corrientes, with giant otters from Hungary and Sweden, after the extinction of the animal in our country in the 70s.

The giant otter can reach two meters and weigh up to 35 kilograms. It is characterized by the fact that it lives in families of 10 to 20 people, is a great predator and feeds almost exclusively on fish. In addition, It is one of the most endangered otter species in Latin America and persecuted for its fur.

The reintroduction of this species into the Iberá ecosystem will be possible through a conservation project of the species promoted by the Foundation. The Conservation Land Trust Argentina SA (CLT) and with the Park Park Zoo in Eskilstuna (Sweden) and the Budapest Zoo (Hungary) who donated the animals, a male and a female, named "Wolf" and "Skylark".

The copies They entered the country on March 21st after being inspected by a Senasa officer who is working at Ezeiza International Airport. Luis Calascibetta, head of the agency's veterinary inspection at the airport, said: "We check the documentation to verify compliance with the health requirements imposed by our country, and we also inspect the General condition of the samples to verify the absence of compatible clinical signs with diseases and finally we have supervised the sanitary conditions of transport ".

A few days ago, SENASA specialists supervised the 40 consecutive quarantine at the entrance of the two specimens in the country and a transit permit was handed over to the San Cayetano de Corrientes Provincial Park, where is located. import quarantine facility. the National Health Agency.

Animal monitoring

Upon arrival in Corrientes, the animals will remain isolated and placed under the supervision of Senasa de Corrientes Omar Senosiain, who will verify the health status of the specimens through clinical inspections and then release them from quarantine. transfer them to the park. Ibera. "After the first quarantine inspection, we found that the two giant otters were in good health, we will visit again next week, and if the animals do not show clinical signs of disease, they will be released within a short time." said Senosiain.

ALicia Delgado, CLT Argentina's biologist, finally said: "The giant otter is the biggest predator and would be equivalent to the water equivalent of yaguarete in the country.Its function is fundamental for Iberá to be new ecological and can offer all your services in a healthy environment. "