Marine Otter Conservation in Peru

The marine otter (Lontra felina), or chungungo, is one of the three species of otters present in Peru. The species can be found from the northern region of La Libertad (8°04′S) southward into Chile. While the species is primarily marine, its presence inland has now been confirmed up to about 2000 m above sea level. Records of the marine otter in Peru date back to the 1800s but research on the species accelerated after the year 2000, with various Peru-specific and comparative studies published related to species distribution, population size, genetics, and ecology. The species has been categorized in Peru as Endangered since 2004, has been categorized as Endangered since 1996 by the IUCN and is listed in Appendix I by CITES. Current and emerging threats to the species include habitat loss and degradation, fisheries-related threats, health impacts, climate change and other natural threats. Future research opportunities and priorities include investigations of pathogens, microplastic ingestion and contaminants (including through oil spills) as potential health risks, and the impact of habitat loss and degradation and its possible role in isolating or segregating local populations of otters or leading to local extirpations.