CONSERVATION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR GIANT OTTERS (PTERONURA BRASILIENSIS) AT IGARAPÉ ESPERANÇA, IN AN URBAN AREA OF BENJAMIN CONSTANT - AM, BRAZIL

Abstract

The objective of this work was to continue the monitoring, carried out in the previous research publication for Melo; Lima; Pantoja (2019), at the points of occurrence of otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), in the Esperança stream in an urban area of Benjamin Constant-AM. In order to understand the conservation and implications for the occurrence of the species, an environmental diagnosis was carried out in the area where the occurrence of the species was reported during the research period and, pointing out possible anthropic interferences that are directly or indirectly related to their presence in that stream. Despite the lower number of occurrences of the species in the period, (compared to the previous one) attributed to the low water level of the Javari River and the Esperança stream, and also to the lower rainfall in 2018 (compared to previous years), we managed to continue monitoring, including a new point of observations. The data collected here denote the need to continue the monitoring work, seeking to find solutions to the problems now related to the interactions between otters-human population-igarapé.