Peru

Neotropical Otter

SERNANP is the governing body of the National System of Natural Areas Protected by the State- SINANPE. Its purpose is to conserve Peru’s vast biodiversity, as well as to bring protected natural areas closer to the population, so that all Peruvians can take advantage of the resources they provide in a sustainable manner. In this way, it contributes to the conservation of our natural heritage and the sustainable development of the national economy. SERNANP’s action ensures the conservation of the Natural Protected Areas, their biological diversity and the maintenance of their environmental services, within the framework of its participatory management and articulated to an integral policy of sustainable development of the country.

Money collected so far

area

Megantoni National Sanctuary

The Megantoni National Sanctuary is the heart of the Vilcabamba-Amboró Conservation Corridor, located in the northeastern part of the department of Cusco, and hydrographically within the Vilcanota-Urubamba river basin, it is the last foothills of the eastern mountain range of Ausangate, the lowest, discontinuous and jungle of the central Andes. Its main objective is to conserve with intangible character, the ecosystems that develop in the mountains of Megantoni, which include ten (10) life zones that harbor intact forests, water sources, and high cultural and biological values among which the Pongo de Maenique stands out, sacred place for the Machiguenga people, and endangered species of restricted distribution, as well as species new to science, keeping intact the extremely important corridor between the Manu National Park and the Vilcabamba Natural Protected Areas complex.

species

Neotropical Otter

This species is the object of creation of the Megantoni National Sanctuary. Although researchers agree that little is known about its ecology, it is known that it is a species that inhabits lakes, rivers and marine environments. They live in association or in the midst of dense vegetation as a refuge that preferably has a certain dependence on areas with preserved vegetation, where they find places with better housing (burrows) and conditions for their survival. Its diet is based mainly on fish and crabs (due to its diet described in studies, it is considered one of the most important carnivores in aquatic ecosystems).
Its fur is soft, composed of two layers: the upper or outer layer is formed by the longest and relatively hard and impermeable hairs, the lower layer is a soft and dense plush, which retains a layer of insulating air. This lower layer prevents the skin from getting wet when the animal is submerged.

The otter is considered an important component for aquatic ecosystems as it is a top predator, directly involved in trophic cascades, providing greater complexity to the ecosystem, being a bioindicator of the good condition of the ecosystems in which it lives. This species is important because it helps determine the quality of the environment in which it is found, the presence of contaminants such as cadmium and other heavy metals. In addition, its presence is an indicator of the abundance of fauna such as fish, which is its main food.

In the Megantoni National Sanctuary, a threat was identified that endangered the presence of this species in some rivers, especially due to the use of prohibited gear such as explosives for fishing, traps or large capture nets, and the use of poisonous plants such as barbasco and kumo used by native communities and now indiscriminately by settlers. To counteract these threats, park rangers have intensified their presence in areas identified as having a high presence of fishermen, raising awareness among the population through environmental education workshops, and disseminating the importance of otter conservation in work meetings with the local population.

Nicolas Quendez - Sernanp

People

Rangers Voice

"What makes me most proud of my Natural Protected Area is that I can help conserve all the biological diversity it has, so that my grandchildren can enjoy it too, especially since there are several endangered species."

José Tenteyo Pereyra

Park Ranger

Media

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Neotropical Otter

Money collected so far

area

Megantoni National Sanctuary

species

Neotropical Otter

People

Rangers Voice

Media

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