NUEVO REGISTRO DE LA NUTRIA MARINA Lontra felina (MOLINA, 1782) AL NORTE DE SU DISTRIBUCIÓN ACTUAL NEW RECORD OF THE MARINE OTTER Lontra felina (MOLINA, 1782) NORTH TO ITS CURRENT DISTRIBUTION

The marine otter Lontra felina is an endangered species and uncertainty exists regarding the limits of its current range, which is considered to be Chimbote (9°10´S). Here we present the first documented evidence of the speciespresence 115 km to the north of Chimbote, in the artisanal port of Huanchaco (8°04´S). The note seeks to promote the generation of research to help clarify the factors that determine the presence of marine otters in a given location and which determine the northern limit to their range. Local (fishing ports and towns) and regional (provinces and countries) conservation measures safeguarding the species and the coastal marine habitat are recommended and should take advantage of the flagship species character of L. felina.