WHERE TO SEE GIANT OTTERS

Here we list what we believe are the six best locations in the world to see Giant Otters in the wild. There are many, many locations in the Brazilian Pantanal where one can now see this species, but most of them are hard to access much of the year, and many of them require flights in small, chartered planes at all times of year.. The two Pantanal locations singled out here, however, are the only reliable and affordable otter locations that are accessible BY CONVENTIONAL, TWO-WHEEL DRIVE CAR year round in less than a three hour drive from Cuiaba and Corumba airports. These airports feature excellent, scheduled jet service from Sao Paulo and other major Brazilian cities.

1. Northern Pantanal: The Pixaim River where it flows under the Transpantaneira Road. Available hotels: Fazenda Santa Tereza and Mato Grosso Pantanal.
2. Southwestern Pantanal: Passo do Lontra, which is where the Miranda River flows under the Estrada Parque Road eight kilometres north of the bus stop known as Buraco das Piranhas ("Hole of the Pirahnas"). This location is a principal study site of Ribas and Mourão. Recommended hotel: Passo do Lontra Parque Hotel.
3. Southern Guyana: Karanambo Ranch, where conservationist and Giant Otter rehabilation specialist, Diane McTurk, has many wild and rehabilitated wild Giant Otters living in the narrow river that flows by her ranch/lodge.
4. SE Peru: Manu Wilderness area, including Manu National Park, Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, and the private reserve of the nonprofit conservation group Peru Verde. Available hotel: Manu Wildlife Center.
5. SE Peru: Tambopata National Reserve. Recommended hotels: Sandoval Lake Lodge and Posada Amazonas.
6. Eastern Ecuador: Yasuní National Park. Only available hotel: Napo Wildlife Center, of the nonprofit conservation group Eco Ecuador.

The easiest way to book travel to these Giant Otter hotspots is to contact Tropical Nature Travel (TNT), www.tropicalnaturetravel.com, USA toll free telephone +1 877 888 1770. TNT is highly specialized on nature travel to tropical rain forests and already knows personally most of the former and current Giant Otter researchers and their study sites. All TNT profits fund further rain forest conservation work by the nonprofit group Tropical Nature (www.tropicalnature.org). Most hotels listed above are integral members or supporters of the Tropical Nature Conservation System.