Daniel, a giant river otter, arrived at our center in September 2028 after an anonymous source sent us a photo of him inside a sack on a boat in the port of Nauta, a small city 105 km from Iquitos. We immediately reported the incident to the wildlife authority (ARA), who confiscated Daniel and brought him to our care before he could be sold to a lodge.

Giant River Otters are classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List. They are highly sociable animals, living in groups and communicating through a complex system of vocalizations. Daniel was no exception. He was constantly “talking” to his caretakers, seeking attention, playtime, and food.

For two years, we had the privilege of providing Daniel with a home, teaching him how to swim, eat, and catch live fish. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, he never learned to hunt successfully in our on-site lakes. Because he couldn’t catch fish on his own, releasing him into the wild was not an option. Instead, he was relocated to another facility, where we know he is receiving the best care.