MORTALITY OF Lontra felina (Molina, 1782) IN CHILE (2009-2022) BASED ON REPORTS; [MORTALITÉ DE Lontra felina (Molina, 1782) AU CHILI (2009-2022) SUR BASE DES RAPPORTS]

Correa R.; Pizarro J. · IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin (2023)

Resumen

This note reports 58 dead marine otters along the coast of North and central Chile during 2009-2022. The data was retrieved from a database of the Chilean National Service for Fisheries and Aquaculture (SERNAPESCA) and from observations of the authors. The main part of the otter mortality reports occurred in the Valparaíso region, which in turn would be consequence of a major effort to report mortality events by volunteers and scientists here. Seventeen (29%) cases of otter mortality were identified whereby interaction with thermal power plants cooled by seawater, attack of dogs, and interaction with small-scale fisheries are the main causes of mortality. But the cause of almost all the deaths remains unknown. © (2023), (IUCN Otter Specialist Group). All Rights Reserved.