Objectives:

To demonstrate the man-wildlife interactions by two reports of possession of a wild pet in a Colombian river.

Scope:

Two cases of interaction about man and the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis Olfers, 1818) as a pet are reported in two tributaries of the Magdalena River basin (Villavieja and La Miel rivers, 2012 and 2015, respectively).

Methodology:

Information was collected based on direct observation in the field and informal dialogues with fishermen.

Main results:

Two adult otter individuals (male/female) were recorded in the Villavieja river (Tello, Huila) and one juvenile female in La Miel river (Norcasia, Caldas). In both cases, interaction with people and/or domestic animals was observed.

Conclusions:

It was found that otters and settlers can share the same riverside landscape. However, it is necessary to strengthen the focus on environmental education, mainly on trafficking and possession of wildlife as pets. Likewise, the inhabitants of the Magdalena river basin must be aware of the importance to support the long-term conservation of the Neotropical otter populations.

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