This otter has just been named wildlife ambassador of Chile

It is known locally as chungungobut its cute name has crossed the borders of Chile thanks to a special mention. The feline otter or coastal otter has become the ambassador of Chilean fauna 2025.

This was decided by the citizens themselves, who expressed their preference by voting for the animal that best represents the country and its extraordinary but vulnerable natural riches.

Six candidates of the year: the burrowing owl Athene cunicularia, the red-collared bee Caupolicana fulvicollisthe emerald frog Hylorina sylvaticathe coastal otter Feline otterthe northern huemul Hippocamelus antisensis and finally the Chilean iguana Callopistes maculatus.

The winner was the feline otter, one of the smallest otters in the world which in Chile is also called “sea cat”. Classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this mustelid is distributed on the coasts of Chile, Argentina and Peru.

The coastal otter, as the name already tells us, is a mammal present in aquatic landscapes. It lives by the sea, where it hunts fish, crustaceans and sometimes birds by hiding in small cavities.

An elongated body measuring approximately 90 cm, a 30 cm tail, strong legs and a rough and thick coat with undercoat make this animal an excellent swimmer capable of adapting to the characteristics of its habitat.

But it is precisely in its home that the species is in danger. The main threats are represented by the destruction of the coastal environment and consequent urbanization, other human activities such as aquaculture, hunting as well as the scarcity of food in nature.

Protecting the feline otter means preserving the Chilean territory and all its fauna. This is the message that the ambassador must spread and he will do so with the over 2,153 votes received.

The proclamation took place on the occasion of Chilean Wildlife Dayheld on November 9th and 10th at the Mirador Interactive Museum. The event, organized by Jane Goodall Institute Chile Foundationis a fixed event for those who love biodiversity.

The Day is a discussion table for the communityan opportunity to raise awareness among the population and discuss the conservation efforts of Chile’s fauna and flora. The baton now passes to chungungo.