Giant otter pups born in Argentina wetlands

Three giant river otter pups have been born in Argentina, much to the delight of conservationists working to try and save the species.

The particular breed of otter, formally known as Pteronura brasiliensis, was a species that was believed to be extinct.

However thanks to a rewilding program 'Rewilding Argentina,' the pups have survived the first week of life, the most critical phase.

The program marks the first attempt to return the giant river otter to a habitat in the Iberá wetlands of Northeast Argentina, one of South America's largest and most important watersheds.

Endangered globally, the giant river otter has not been seen for over 30 years in Argentina, where illegal hunting and habitat loss led to its decline.

The closest known population of the species is some 1000 kilometers away in Paraguay.

The giant otter is the world's largest otter, a top aquatic predator, that can measure up to 1.8 meters and weigh 33 kilos.

The program is reintroducing nine other species to the wetlands, including the jaguar, the top terrestrial predator, and the red-and-green macaw.

Iberá National Park was created in 2018 with land donations made by Douglas and Kristine Tompkins via Tompkins Conservation, in collaboration with Rewilding Argentina and local and national authorities.