On this trip we have an Otter expert. In fact not just an expert, the Argentine expert on otters, Alejandro. He is on this trip to help understand the population on Isla de los estados. Until now, the knowledge has just been in passing – some reports of otters, a few feces reported, but no proper documentation. This was the mission we were on with Alejandro.
Our first 2 nights we spent in Puerto Espanol and he collected one “mucus” sample, but no dens, or other exciting otter signs. Then we arrived in Puerto Parry on Isla de los Estdos and the otter excitement began. After a tour of the navy base, we hopped in the zodiac to go looking. Alejandro has an amazing eye for spotting potential habitat – there are clear “goldilocks” conditions for otters. Their terrain is not too steep, not to shallow, not to wet, but close to water…. The very first place that he said “Fede, I want to go check out this place” – there was a den! He showed us the particular green algae growth that is around the living areas of otters (due to them bringing in salt water on their bodies from the sea and a specific algae growing. Alejandro set to work placing a camera! Our first camera of the trip.
The next day we set off for Basil Hall. As we entered, our passenger Giff pointed to a spot and said “if I were an otter I would live there”. SO once we anchored Giff and Alejandro set off to check it out. One hour, 2 hours, 3 hours and they were still in the same spot. They must have found something! When they returned they tried to tell us that “eh we found some poop, but nothing exciting”. Well they are bad liars! They found a den, not just any den, a textbook otter den – the best Ale has ever seen. They put a camera and collected no fewer than 23 feces samples!!!!!! Alejandro was giddy all night with excitement for this location. It couldn’t be more perfect – it had everything a den was “supposed” to have – multiple chambers, balconies, locations to look out, just as an otter den should be. How cool. He (and we) can’t wait to see what the cameras capture!!!
