A survey of the Southern river otter Lutra provocax in Lanín, Puelo and Los Alerces National Parks, Argentina, and eval¬uation of its conservation status

CHEHÉBAR, C.; GALLUR, A.; GIANNICO, G.; GOTTELLI, M.D.; YORIO, P.

BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 1986 vol. 38 p. 293 - 304

0006-3207

A survey of the huillin or southern river otter Lutra provocax distribution was made in Lanin, Puelo and Los Alerces National Parks. Signs of otters were found at only 4 of 175 sites visited and all of these were in the south of Lanin. According to local people the species occurred in all three National Parks until 25 40 years ago. The main reason for the loss of huillines seems to be intensive hunting in the past. The geography and structure of the hydrological basins may help explain the lack of recolonisation by huillines from remnant populations. Signs of mink Mustela vison were found in both Puelo and Los Alerces and, while mink could not have been responsible .for the decline of the otter, they may hinder re-establishment of otter populations. Human disturbance and tourism are not thought to have a significant impact on huillin distribution although remote refuges should be maintained, and our results show the importance of good coastal vegetation cover for permanent populations of the species. It is clear that the only important and permanent population of huillines in Argentina, between 39°S and 43°S, occurs at Nahuel Huapi National Park, which was surveyed in 1982-83. This population is now of critical importance for the conservation of the species, which should retain its 'endangered'status in Argentina. Measures to implement huillin conservation are proposed.