The southern river otter, huillín Lontra provocax (Thomas, 1908) and the marine otter, chungungo Lontra felina (Molina, 1782) (Mustelidae: Lutrinae) in the Southern Patagonian fjord and channel system: distribution and conservation problems

The distribution of huillín (Lontra provocax) and chungungo (Lontra felina) in the marine environment of Aysén and Magallanes during 1977-82 and 2001-22 is analyzed. 85.3% of the huillín sightings were solitary individuals and 13.6% were females with 1-3 offsprings. 90% of the chungungo sightings were solitary animals and 10% were females with 1-2 young. The huillín has a continuous distribution in fjords and southern channels, with a marine population probably greater than the continental one. The chungungo uses the ocean coast from the Guaitecas Islands to Cape Horn. Both species were found sympatrically on the Hermanas, Velasco, Mornington, Beauclerck and Contreras islands. The Protected Areas in Chile are mostly terrestrial, and its importance for otter protection and its habitat is discussed. By their definition the Multiple Use Marine Protected Areas include productive activities, without certainty about their efficiency in protecting huillín/chungungo. The “Francisco Coloane” Marine Park, of only 1,506 hectares, represents the only sector in which the huillín has absolute protection, and the “Kawésqar” National Reserve, which covers the maritime territory around the “Kawésqar” National Park, brings together 82% of the salmon farming concessions in Magallanes, so its importance for the protection of huillín/chungungo is questionable. Various activities and projects under development in the Aysén/Magallanes region are exempt from submission to the Environmental Impact Study System. The study of 1,563 projects related to marine and freshwater habitats, mentioned the huillín in only 5.4% and chungungo in 12.6% of the cases. 0.94% mentioned adverse effects, none of them on the huillín/chungungo, without mitigation, protection and/ or conservation measures for these species. It is concluded that the situation of the huillín/chungungo in Southern Patagonia requires a thorough review of protection measures, with the establishment of protected areas and biological corridors between sectors and continental populations