A Rare Look at a Rare Otter

Via IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group, which writes:

A rare and special moment with one of the world’s most endangered otters 🦦

During a recent photo safari in Ancud on Isla de Chiloé, Chile, wildlife photographer Cristian Larrere captured this incredible encounter with a southern river otter, also known locally as the huillín (Lontra provocax).

This species is one of the most threatened otters on Earth. The southern river otter is classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with populations declining due to habitat loss, water pollution and historical hunting. Today it survives mainly in remote rivers, wetlands and coastal habitats of southern Chile and Argentina.

Encounters like this are far from guaranteed. Even in the wild landscapes of Chiloé, spotting a huillín is rare, which makes moments like this incredibly special for conservationists and wildlife photographers alike.

The huillín is larger than its coastal relative, the marine otter (Lontra felina), aka the chungungo. Watching one quietly feeding along a riverbank is a powerful reminder of how important it is to protect these fragile ecosystems.

A big thank you to Cristian Larrere for sharing this beautiful moment from the wild. Experiences like this help bring attention to a species that urgently needs protection 🌎