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The Giant Otter was almost hunted to extinction between 1940 and 1973 when over a 1000 animals per year were killed for their black, glossy fur pelts --- it is believed that at one stage under 20 individuals were left in the Amazonian basin. Since their protection status in '73 numbers have slowly recovered to approx 1500. They all have white blotches on their throats, and these are unique to each individual. Adults grow up to 1.8 metres long and can weigh 35 kg. Almost exclusively fish eaters, they are know by their Spanish name of " Lobo del rio " ( River wolf ).
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They are diurnal, with webbed feet and an extremely long tail, flattened at the end. The adults build several large "holts" ( long burrows ) in the sandy riverbanks and the female will give birth to up to 5 pups. These can't swim until they are two months old, and so last years teenagers help the parents look after them. Consequently, family groups (of up to 9 otters) are often seen together fishing.
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When danger threatens, usually from Jaguar or a big Black Caiman ( a Crocodilian ) several of the adults distract the predator while the rest of the family help carry the young off to another holt.
Taken from a boat, with D7000 and Tamron 70-300mm @f5.6, ISO 800, @300mm 1/320 Sec.. Handheld.
