The international union for the conservation of nature (IUCN) and the Commission for the survival of species (CSE) have issued a global alert on the worrying state of conservation of two endemic species in Chile: theHuillín (Otter causesx) and the chungungo (Otter felina).
Both the lacchs, classified as “in danger” According to the IUCN criteria, they are facing an unprecedented crisis due to the loss of habitat, the invasion of alien species and the impact of the aquaculture industry.
In December 2023, the IUCN and the CSE sent an urgent letter to the Chilean authorities, asking concrete actions to protect these species. However, more than a year later, no response has been received, which generated alarm between the scientific community and conservation.
The Huillín, Lontra di Fiume, and the Chungungo, LonTra Marina, are unique species in the worldwith a limited distribution mainly to southern Chile. Both have suffered a drastic reduction of their populations because of the poachingthe destruction of the habitat and the introduction of the American mink (Neogale Vison), an invasive species that competes for resources and transmits diseases.
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It is also the fault of the salmon
That’s right: the expansion of the salmon industry in southern Chile exacerbated the risks for these lacchs.
Recent studies show a worrying overlap between the lance areas and the concessions of aquaculture. In some cases, otter deaths have been recorded within the water socket pipes of fish farms, which underlines the urgency of implementing mitigation measures.
We are talking about species close to the intention, which do not exist in other countries – warns the expert of Lonte and member of the IICCN, Dr. Gonzalo Medina Vogel. 98% of the huilline who remain are only in Chile and the Chungungo situation is similar.
The IUCN and the CSE have asked the Chilean government to establish a multidisciplinary working group, composed of scientists, government officials and representatives of the aquaculture industry, to design an action plan to ensure the survival of these species.
