Rare giant otter arrives at zoo to help save species from extinction

By Adam Dutton via SWNS

A rare male giant otter has arrived at Chester Zoo as part of a conservation breeding program in a bid to help save his species from extinction.

The three-year-old named Manú has traveled more than 1,000 miles from Budapest Zoo in the hope he will hit it off with Chester’s resident female Tibiri.

Heartwarming images show the otters meeting for the very first time, where they can be seen swimming and playing together.

Zookeepers selected Manú as a "perfect genetic match" for eight-year-old Tibiri as part of a special breeding program for the highly threatened species.

Experts estimate that no more than 5,000 giant otters remain across South America and they have already been wiped out in Uruguay and Argentina.

Conservationists say the breeding program is now "vitally important" to the future of the species and are hopeful that Manú and Tibiri will have pups together.

Anna Starkey, carnivore keeper at Chester Zoo, said: “Since arriving at the zoo only a few days ago, Manú has settled into his new surroundings very quickly.

"He’s been carefully matched with female otter Tibiri, based on his important genetics, age and character.

"So far we’ve seen really positive signs between the two and they can be heard using a range of vocalizations while playfully swimming together, which shows us that they’ve instantly bonded.

"We’re hopeful that, in their own time, they’ll eventually go on to have pups and help boost global giant otter numbers.

“Giant otters are the apex predators of their South American ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of freshwater habitats.

"They do this by hunting prey populations, keeping the health and biodiversity of their environments in check.

"But sadly, the wild population feel enormous pressures from pollution and mass deforestation which continue to threaten their survival altogether.

“It will now be the role of conservation zoos like ours to play a pivotal role in turning the tide and safeguarding their future on the planet."

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has now listed the species as endangered – meaning they face a very high chance of becoming extinct in future.

Environmentalists say their decline in numbers is a result of mass-scale deforestation, water pollution and illegal hunting.

Giant otters are the world’s largest species of otter and, in the Amazon, they are known as the ‘river wolf’ due to their large, razor sharp teeth and muscular bodies.

They can grow up to 1.8 m (5ft 11in) and each otter has unique markings of white or cream fur on their throat and under their chin, which allows each individual to be identified by experts.

Fact File: Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis):

• Habitat: Found in freshwater ecosystems throughout South America, including rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
• IUCN status: Endangered
• Main threats in the wild: Deforestation, habitat degradation, pollution, and illegal hunting.
• Notable characteristics: Largest of all otter species, with a long, streamlined body and webbed feet for swimming.

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